[Leiomyosarcoma in the area of the pelvic vein]

A 37-year-old patient presented with relapsing edema of the left leg lasting for 3 months. The radiological investigations indicated a thrombotic occlusion of the pelvic veins. Surgery revealed a neoplastic growth within the common femoral vein. Histology corresponded to a leiomyosarcoma of the venous wall with intraluminal growth and no indication for penetration of the wall and invasion of the surrounding tissue. In a second operation the tumor-bearing parts of the profound and superficial femoral vein and the external iliac vein were removed. A postoperative infection with involvement of the superficial femoral artery necessitated resection of the artery and replacement by a bypass. Three months after the intervention the patients fares well. The swelling tendency of the left leg is minimal. A local recurrence of the tumor could not be detected so far. Chemotherapy was refused by the patient.