Unmasking the uncommon: retroperitoneal Leiomyosarcoma case report

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Pathology
• Surgical Oncology

Background:

• Leiomyosarcoma, a rare soft tissue sarcoma, originates from smooth muscle cells and presents variably depending on tumor location.
• Accurate diagnosis often requires histopathology and immunohistochemistry, as clinical presentation can be non-specific.

Observation:

• A 63-year-old woman with no prior medical history presented with persistent epigastric pain and suspected lymphadenopathy on CT scan.
• Surgical excision revealed a retroperitoneal mass confirmed as leiomyosarcoma, characterized by positivity for H-Caldesmon and negativity for CD117 and Dog1.

Findings:

• Retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma is an aggressive and uncommon malignancy, posing diagnostic challenges before definitive histopathological analysis.
• Complete surgical resection with clear margins is the primary treatment modality, although achieving this can be complex.

Implications:

• A multidisciplinary team approach is essential for optimizing patient outcomes and quality of life in managing this rare cancer.
• Early diagnosis and aggressive surgical management, followed by regular surveillance, are key to preventing recurrence and improving survival rates.