Leiomyosarcoma
Encyclopedia
Leiomyosarcoma aka LMS, is a malignant cancer
of smooth muscle
. (When a such a neoplasm is benign, it is a leiomyoma
.)
Leiomyosarcoma is a relatively rare form of cancer
, and accounts for between 5–10% of soft tissue sarcoma
s, which are in themselves relatively rare. Leiomyosarcomas can be very unpredictable. They can remain dormant for long periods of time and recur after years. It is a resistant cancer, meaning generally not very responsive to chemotherapy or radiation. The best outcomes occur when it can be removed surgically with wide margins early, while small and still in situ
.
, which are found in most parts of the body, including the uterus, stomach and intestines, the walls of all blood vessels, and the skin. It is therefore possible for leiomyosarcomas to appear at any site in the body (including the breasts); they are most commonly found in the uterus
, stomach
, small intestine
and retroperitoneum
.
Uterine leiomyosarcomas come from the smooth muscle in the muscle layer of the uterus. Cutaneous leiomyosarcomas derive from the pilo-erector muscles in the skin. Gastrointestinal leiomyosarcomas might come from smooth muscle in the GI tract or, alternatively, also from a blood vessel. At most other primary sites—retroperitoneal extremity (in the abdomen, behind the intestines), truncal, abdominal organs, etc—leiomyosarcomas appear to grow from the muscle layer of a blood vessel (the tunica media
). Thus a leiomyosarcoma can have a primary site of origin anywhere in the body where there is a blood vessel.
Complementary methods (such as over-the-counter supplements) should always be discussed with one's doctor(s); some supplements can actually hinder treatments like chemotherapy.
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
of smooth muscle
Smooth muscle
Smooth muscle is an involuntary non-striated muscle. It is divided into two sub-groups; the single-unit and multiunit smooth muscle. Within single-unit smooth muscle tissues, the autonomic nervous system innervates a single cell within a sheet or bundle and the action potential is propagated by...
. (When a such a neoplasm is benign, it is a leiomyoma
Leiomyoma
A leiomyoma is a benign smooth muscle neoplasm that is not premalignant. They can occur in any organ, but the most common forms occur in the uterus, small bowel and the esophagus.- Etymology:* Greek:** λεῖος leios "smooth"...
.)
Leiomyosarcoma is a relatively rare form of cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
, and accounts for between 5–10% of soft tissue sarcoma
Soft tissue sarcoma
A soft-tissue sarcoma is a form of sarcoma that develops in connective tissue, though the term is sometimes applied to elements of the soft tissue that are not currently considered connective tissue.-Risk factors:...
s, which are in themselves relatively rare. Leiomyosarcomas can be very unpredictable. They can remain dormant for long periods of time and recur after years. It is a resistant cancer, meaning generally not very responsive to chemotherapy or radiation. The best outcomes occur when it can be removed surgically with wide margins early, while small and still in situ
In situ
In situ is a Latin phrase which translated literally as 'In position'. It is used in many different contexts.-Aerospace:In the aerospace industry, equipment on board aircraft must be tested in situ, or in place, to confirm everything functions properly as a system. Individually, each piece may...
.
Location
Smooth muscle cells make up the involuntary musclesInvoluntary muscles
Involuntary muscle may refer to:* Smooth muscle* Cardiac muscle...
, which are found in most parts of the body, including the uterus, stomach and intestines, the walls of all blood vessels, and the skin. It is therefore possible for leiomyosarcomas to appear at any site in the body (including the breasts); they are most commonly found in the uterus
Uterus
The uterus or womb is a major female hormone-responsive reproductive sex organ of most mammals including humans. One end, the cervix, opens into the vagina, while the other is connected to one or both fallopian tubes, depending on the species...
, stomach
Stomach
The stomach is a muscular, hollow, dilated part of the alimentary canal which functions as an important organ of the digestive tract in some animals, including vertebrates, echinoderms, insects , and molluscs. It is involved in the second phase of digestion, following mastication .The stomach is...
, small intestine
Small intestine
The small intestine is the part of the gastrointestinal tract following the stomach and followed by the large intestine, and is where much of the digestion and absorption of food takes place. In invertebrates such as worms, the terms "gastrointestinal tract" and "large intestine" are often used to...
and retroperitoneum
Retroperitoneum
The retroperitoneal space is the anatomical space in the abdominal cavity behind the peritoneum. It has no specific delineating anatomical structures...
.
Uterine leiomyosarcomas come from the smooth muscle in the muscle layer of the uterus. Cutaneous leiomyosarcomas derive from the pilo-erector muscles in the skin. Gastrointestinal leiomyosarcomas might come from smooth muscle in the GI tract or, alternatively, also from a blood vessel. At most other primary sites—retroperitoneal extremity (in the abdomen, behind the intestines), truncal, abdominal organs, etc—leiomyosarcomas appear to grow from the muscle layer of a blood vessel (the tunica media
Tunica media
The tunica media is the middle layer of an artery or vein.-Artery:It is made up of smooth muscle cells and elastic tissue...
). Thus a leiomyosarcoma can have a primary site of origin anywhere in the body where there is a blood vessel.
Treatment
Surgery, with as wide a margin of removal as possible, has generally been the most effective and preferred way to attack LMS. If surgical margins are narrow or not clear of tumor, however, or in some situations where tumor cells were left behind, chemotherapy or radiation has been shown to give a clear survival benefit. While LMS tends to be resistant to radiation and chemotherapy, each case is different and results can vary widely.Complementary methods (such as over-the-counter supplements) should always be discussed with one's doctor(s); some supplements can actually hinder treatments like chemotherapy.
Notable patients
Notable people who have had leiomyosarcoma include:- Padma Atluri — Writer for Men In Trees, 90210 television series.
- Leicester City footballer Keith WellerKeith WellerKeith Weller was an English footballer. He is considered to be one of Leicester City's greatest ever players. Following seven operations for cancer, he died in the United States in 2004 aged 58.-England:...
who made over 300 appearances for the Foxes, scoring 47 goals. Also made 4 appearances for England, scoring 1 goal - Katie Price (Jordan)
- Canadian public health physician Sheela BasrurSheela BasrurSheela Basrur, O.Ont was a Canadian medical doctor and former Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health and Assistant Deputy Minister of Public Health. She resigned from these positions late in 2006 to undergo treatment for cancer.-Life and training:Basrur was born in Toronto, Canada, in 1956 to...
(1956-2008), who developed uterine leiomyosarcoma in 2006. - American actress Diana SandsDiana SandsDiana Sands was an American dramatic actress, perhaps most famous for her portrayal of Beneatha Younger, the sister of Sidney Poitier's character in the original film version of Lorraine Hansberry's Raisin in the Sun...
. - Canadian comedian Irwin BarkerIrwin BarkerIrwin Barker was a Canadian comedian and writer. He wrote for This Hour Has 22 Minutes and The Rick Mercer Report, and was nominated for four Gemini Awards as a writer and one as stand-up performer for his 2005 performance at the Halifax comedy Festival...
, who was featured in a documentary, "That's my Time", which chronicled his battle with leiomyosarcoma. In Barker's own words. "Cancer has my body but not my spirit, and I'll continue to make jokes, not so much about cancer, but in spite of it." - E. J. McGuire Long time professional ice hockey coach, scout, and VP of the NHLNational Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
Central Scouting Bureau
External links
- LMS leiomyosarcoma.info Comprehensive reference site for information on leiomyosarcoma
- National Leiomyosarcoma Foundation
- Leiomyosarcoma Direct Research Foundation
- CancerBackup
- Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative
- Sloan Kettering website
- #2434 (Pathology images)
- Live Leiomyosarcoma Video (Gupta Gastro Associates Unique Findings)