[Results of treatment on 56 sarcomas of the uterus between 1953 and 1977 (author's transl)]

At the Frauenklinik Finkenau Hamburg a total of 56 women were treated for sarcoma of the uterus between 1953 and 1977. Accounting for 1.2% of all malignancies, sarcoma is a rare tumor. The different histological types are analysed with respect to age distribution, endocrine status, preceding pregnancies, etc. Treatment results over a 15 years period and a subsequent 10 years period were compared. Symptoms and local findings show great variability. Preoperative diagnostic procedures frequently did not result in final diagnosis. The mode of therapy changed over the long period of 25 years. Forty-nine patients were followed up over a period of more than 10 years. In Patients with sarcomas which had derived from preexisting myomas, the 10 year survival rate was 89% (16/18). The total 10 year survival rate was 57% (28/49). Effectiveness of different therapeutic approaches such as operation, irradiation, and cytostatic therapy is demonstrated. Local recurrences and distant metastases usually occurred within 2 years after primary treatment. One case with successful chemotherapy of pulmonary metastases of leiomyosarcoma is demonstrated showing complete remission over a period of 28 months.