Leiomyosarcomatosis of probable uterine origin with long survival--a case report

A case of leiomyosarcomatosis is presented. Over a period of 15 years the patient underwent seven operations to remove eleven tumours, the largest as big as a football, before dying of widespread metastases: between operations the patient was remarkably well. The disease was almost certainly of uterine origin from apparently benign fibroids, and photomicrographs are provided as supportive evidence. The various modes of presentation of abdominal leiomyosarcoma--mass, pain, obstruction, fistula, anaemia--are illustrated in the case report. The value of repeated palliative surgery in such cases is emphasized.