Sarcomas of the uterus: a clinicopathologic study of 119 patients

This series consists of 119 uterine sarcoma patients treated at the University of Helsinki Central Hospital during the 20-year period of 1958 to 1977. It comprises the three main histologic varieties: leiomyosarcomas, 51 patients; mixed müllerian sarcomas, 45 patients; and endometrial stromal sarcomas, 23 patients. The clinicopathological features that could have had a bearing on prognosis were examined retrospectively. The clinical stage at the time of primary treatment was the main prognostic factor. Other important factors were the degree of histologic differentiation and the mitotic activity. The overall five-year survival rate for patients with leiomyosarcomas was 39%; for mixed müllerian sarcomas, 33%; and for endometrial stromal sarcomas, 61%. The ten-year survival figures were 27, 14, and 37%, respectively. Some features of the diagnosis, the natural history, and the different methods of treatment of these diseases are discussed.