title: Leiomyoma originating from axilla: A rare case report and differential diagnosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Leiomyoma is a form of benign tumor originated in hypertrophy of the smooth muscles, which is most prevalent in the uterus and gastrointestinal tract. However, Leiomyoma originating from smooth muscle at the vessels lying on deep soft tissue is very rare.
  
  
  METHODS
  Our case was a rare case of leiomyoma originating from the axillary region, which was initially diagnosed as a fibroadenoma on radiological examination. The mass was separated from surrounding tissues and totally resected. Pathologically, hematoxylin-eosin-stained biopsy tissue showed the typical findings of leiomyoma. Postoperative follow-up observation was done for 1 year, without any complications or recurrence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Notably, a leiomyoma in the axillary region is difficult to differentiate from other benign or malignant tumors on preoperative radiological examinations such as ultrasonography or computed tomgraphy. Therefore, when an indefinite asymptomatic mass that is not lymphadenopathy or common benign tumor is identified in the axillary region, leiomyoma can be considered as one of the differential diagnoses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, college of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ho Jun
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sang Oon
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Baek
authors.forename: Eun Young
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Rha
authors.forename: Jun Yong
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hyun Ho
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Han
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001365:Axilla / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007889:Leiomyoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed