Leiomyomatosis Peritonealis Disseminata with Features of Carcinomatosis on Laparoscopy: A case report

Leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata (LPD), also known as diffuse peritoneal leiomyomatosis, is a rare disease characterised by subperitoneal proliferation of benign nodules mainly composed of benign smooth muscle cells, macroscopically mimicking peritoneal carcinomatosis. We report a 43 year-old woman who presented with menorrhagia, pelvic pressure and pain. Ultrasound of the pelvis showed uterine fibroids and an ovarian cyst. She was scheduled to have a laparoscopic hysterectomy and left salpingo-oophorectomy for symptomatic relief. A picture of carcinomatosis was seen on laparoscopy so multiple biopsies were taken and the patient was referred to the gynaecological oncology team. Definitive surgery was performed and final pathology was consistent with LPD with no evidence of malignancy. No hormone replacement therapy was offered after surgery. Macroscopically, LPD has features of malignancy; it usually pursues a benign course. To review current management of LPD and the risk of malignant transformation, we conducted a search in Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Database of systematic reviews using the keywords: leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata, management and malignant transformation. LPD is a diagnostic challenge. Although rare, malignant transformation can occur since hormones play an important role in the pathogenesis of LPD, following surgery, patients should be followed carefully if they are on hormone replacement as these tumours could re-grow and cause symptoms or transform to malignancy.