Vulvar leiomyosarcoma: A case report

Area of Science:

• Gynecologic Oncology
• Surgical Pathology
• Oncology

Background:

• Vulvar leiomyosarcoma is a rare malignancy, representing the most common vulvar sarcoma.
• This tumor can present with symptoms mimicking benign conditions, potentially leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
• Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective management of vulvar cancers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of vulvar leiomyosarcoma in a 35-year-old woman.
• To illustrate the diagnostic challenges associated with vulvar leiomyosarcoma.
• To highlight the difficulties in providing safe cancer care in resource-limited settings.

Main Methods:

• Clinical presentation of a right vulvar mass in a 35-year-old female patient.
• Surgical excision of the vulvar mass.
• Histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry for definitive diagnosis.

Main Results:

• Histopathology and immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma.
• The case underscores the potential for misdiagnosis due to the tumor's resemblance to benign masses.
• Contextual challenges in the healthcare setting impacted the delivery of care.

Conclusions:

• Vulvar leiomyosarcoma requires high clinical suspicion for timely diagnosis.
• Accurate histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis is essential for differentiating leiomyosarcoma from benign mimics.
• Addressing healthcare system challenges is vital for improving cancer care delivery, particularly in resource-limited environments.