Gastric leiomyosarcoma: a clinicopathologic study

Seven patients with gastric leiomyosarcoma (LMS) and leiomyoblastoma (LMB) were seen at the American University of Beirut Medical Center in the period 1970-1983. The natural history, clinical presentation, radiologic findings, histopathologic features and treatment modalities of these patients are discussed. The anatomic location of the tumor had no relation to the occurrence and number of mucosal ulcers. Ulcerations were more frequent with endogastric than exogastric tumors. Histologic pattern, cell shape and number of mitotic figures were the basic morphological criteria for differentiating between LMS and LMB. Maintenance of a reasonable gastric reservoir and avoidance of total or near total gastrectomy are important factors affecting long term morbidity following surgical resection.