Advanced gastric leiomyosarcoma

This is a retrospective review of twenty-two patients surgically treated for leiomyosarcoma. All but two patients had an advanced tumor of at least 8 cm size or involving contiguous structures. The most commonly performed operation was subtotal gastrectomy. The gastric resection required en bloc resection of contiguous structures in 10 patients. Fifteen patients with curative resection had a three year survival of 58 per cent. The overall group had a three year survival of 35 per cent. Advanced gastric leiomyosarcomas present a surgical challenge to complete resection, but when the procedure is accomplished the patient has a reasonable curative potential.