Leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata: clinicopathologic analysis of five cases

Leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata (LPD) is an exceedingly rare, usually benign condition that clinically simulates a disseminated malignancy. It occurs predominantly in women of childbearing age. Approximately 50 cases of LPD have been described in the literature with 2 cases reported to have progressed into aggressive leiomyosarcomas. Excessive hormonal stimulation appears to correlate with LPD development since it is commonly associated with pregnancy. Conservative treatment with long-term follow-up is recommended because of LPD's generally indolent clinical course. We report 5 cases of LPD with a review of the literature.