Intravenous leiomyomatosis with intracardiac extension: a single-institution experience

Micheal J Worley1, Anate Aelion, Thomas A Caputo

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill-Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.

Insights

Surgical management of intravenous leiomyomatosis with intracardiac extension is effective. Despite incomplete resection in most cases, all patients remained recurrence-free, indicating favorable outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Surgery
  • Gynecologic Oncology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Intravenous leiomyomatosis (IVL) is a rare benign smooth muscle tumor characterized by vascular invasion.
  • Intracardiac extension of IVL presents significant surgical and management challenges.
  • Limited data exists on the surgical outcomes for IVL with intracardiac extension.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the surgical management and outcomes of patients with IVL and intracardiac extension.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of surgical intervention in this specific patient cohort.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of patients diagnosed with IVL with intracardiac extension between 2002 and 2008.
  • Analysis of surgical approaches, presenting symptoms, resection status, and follow-up data.

Main Results:

  • Four patients were identified with IVL and intracardiac extension.
  • All patients presented with cardiac symptoms, including syncope.
  • Complete tumor resection was achieved in 25% of patients; incomplete resection in 75%.
  • Despite incomplete resection in most cases, all patients were recurrence-free at a mean follow-up of 25.5 months.

Conclusions:

  • Surgical excision is an effective treatment for benign metastasizing leiomyomatosis with intracardiac extension.
  • Incomplete surgical resection may still lead to favorable outcomes with no recurrence.
Abstract