Leiomyosarcoma Health Dictionary

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Leiomyosarcoma: From 1 Different Sources

n. a malignant tumour of smooth muscle, most commonly found in the uterus (it may arise in fibroids), stomach, small bowel, and at the base of the bladder. It is the second most common *sarcoma of soft tissues. This tumour is rare in children, occurring most commonly in the bladder, prostate, and stomach. Treatment is with surgery; these tumours are poorly responsive to chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Uterus, Cancer Of

A malignant growth in the tissues of the uterus. Cancer of the uterus mainly affects the cervix (see cervix, cancer of) and endometrium. In rare cases, the uterine muscle is affected by a type of cancer called a leiomyosarcoma. The term uterine cancer usually refers to cancer of the endometrium.

Risk factors for endometrial cancer include anything that may raise oestrogen levels in the body, such as obesity, a history of failure to ovulate, or taking oestrogen hormones long term if these are not balanced with progestogen drugs. It is also more common in women who have had few or no children.

Before the menopause, the first symptom of cancer of the uterus may be menorrhagia or bleeding between periods or after sexual intercourse; after the menopause, it is usually a bloodstained vaginal discharge. Diagnosis is made by hysteroscopy or biopsy.

Very early endometrial cancer is usually treated by hysterectomy and removal of the fallopian tubes and ovaries.

If the cancer has spread, radiotherapy and anticancer drug treatment may also be used.... uterus, cancer of

Leiomyoma

n. a benign tumour of smooth muscle. Such tumours occur most commonly in the uterus (see fibroid) but can also arise in the digestive tract, walls of blood vessels, etc. They may undergo malignant change (see leiomyosarcoma).... leiomyoma

Myosarcoma

n. a malignant tumour of muscle. See also leiomyosarcoma; rhabdomyosarcoma.... myosarcoma

Sarcoma

n. any *cancer of connective tissue. These tumours may occur in any part of the body, as they arise in the tissues that make up an organ rather than being restricted to a particular organ. They can arise in fibrous tissue, muscle, fat, bone, cartilage, synovium, blood and lymphatic vessels, and various other tissues. See also chondrosarcoma; fibrosarcoma; leiomyosarcoma; liposarcoma; lymphangiosarcoma; osteosarcoma; rhabdomyosarcoma. —sarcomatous adj.... sarcoma

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