[Leiomyosarcoma of the small intestine. Apropos of 3 cases]

The authors report three cases of leiomyosarcomas of the small intestine and review the literature on this subject. Leiomyosarcomas of the small intestine are rare tumours, representing 0.2% of all malignant tumours of the gastrointestinal tract. These large, round, hypervascular tumours are derived from smooth muscle cells in the intestinal wall and often develop extra-luminally. The malignant nature is often difficult to confirm on the histological examination. The clinical signs often only appear when the tumour has reached a large volume. It is rare to make the diagnosis pre-operatively, despite the use of a number of investigations. Arteriography is the most reliable examination. Spread of the disease is essentially haematogenous. The malignant tumour invades adjacent organs, causes hepatic metastases and peritoneal seedlings and tends to recur locally. The treatment is essentially surgical and the prognosis varies according to the size of the tumour, its grade, its activity and its degree of extension. The 5-year survival of all forms of the disease varies between 20 and 50%, according to the series.