Uterine sarcomas

During 1962-1980, 44 uterine sarcomas were treated at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Tampere University Central Hospital. Of the sarcomas, 35 (79%) were leiomyosarcomas, six (14%) endometrial stromal sarcomas and three (7%) endometrial carcinosarcomas. The 5-year survival for patients with leiomyosarcoma was 51 per cent. The 5-year survival rate for the premenopausal patients was 73% and that for postmenopausal patients 20%. The most important prognostic indicator was the gross presentation of the tumor at the time of surgery. Of the 5-year survival patients 94% were of clinical Stage I and of the failed patients 55%, respectively. Rather poor correlation was noted between the mitotic activity and survival rate. Metastases to the lungs were the most common failure pathway. All six patients with endometrial stromal sarcomas died within 25 months after the diagnosis. High oestrogen and progestin receptor concentrations were demonstrated in the endometrial stromal sarcoma.