Leiomyosarcoma of the colon exclusive of the rectum

Five cases of leiomyosarcoma of the colon are presented along with a review of the literature. In our cases the presenting symptoms and signs included abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, blood in stools and abdominal mass. Anemia was present in four cases. Roentgenologically, an intraluminal tumor with obstruction was found in two cases, paralytic ileum in one and two cases were reported as "negative". At surgery there were peritoneal implants in three cases, metastases to the liver in two cases and perforation of the tumor in one case. Only diagnostic or palliative surgery was performed in all cases. All patients died of tumor within 15 months. The clinicopathological findings are similar to those reported by others in patients with extensive disease.