Leiomyosarcoma of the large intestine, excluding the rectum

Thirty-nine cases of leiomyosarcoma of the large intestine, excluding the rectum, have been collected and one original case has been added. The age of subjects ranges from one day to 78 years; sex distribution is almost equal. Only two cases of this disease have been reported in Negroes in the literature. Symptoms and physical findings are pain, palpable asses, and melena. Patients are frequently anemic. X-ray studies give diverse findings. Both regional and distant metastases have been noted. Therapy is usually surgery. The prognosis is guarded: only three patients have survived five years. Almost two-thirds of the patients die within one year.