Leiomyosarcoma of renal vein and inferior vena cava

A case of leiomyosarcoma of the right renal vein and inferior vena cava causing total obstruction of the vena cava is reported. This rare condition was treated successfully after two previous operations had deemed it unresectable. Treatment consisted of a right nephrectomy and resection of the vena cava and ligation of the left renal vein. Because of the slow growth of the well-differentiated leiomyosarcoma, there was no problem with venous return from the left kidney, and the patient recovered promptly without evidence of renal function impairment. Postoperatively, she received chemotherapy consisting of doxorubicin (Adriamycin) and vincristine. She is well and free of tumor over four years postoperatively. The good result, in this case, is attributed to complete surgical excision and multimodal therapy.