[Leiomyosarcoma of the gastrointestinal tract]

The records and biopsies of 10 patients with the diagnosis of leiomyosarcomas admitted at the Military Hospital "Dr. Carlos Arvelo" from 1962 to 1991, were reviewed. The sample correspond to 0.47% of all gastro-intestinal tumors. Sixty per cent of tumors were localized in the stomach, 20% in the jejunum, 10% in the duodenum and 10% in the colon. Eighty per cent had pain and 60% had bleeding. Sixty per cent of tumors were low grade leiomyosarcomas and 40% were epithelioid leiomyosarcomas. In eight of nine patients operated, resection was done. The survival range was from six months to 28 years with a median of 12 years. The most important prognostic factor was the extension of the tumor, independently of he histologic type.