Uterine Leiomyosarcoma Presenting as a Recurrent Abdominal Mass Following Total Abdominal Hysterectomy and Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy: A Case Report

Abstract

This is meant to draw attention to the presentation of leiomyosarcoma as a recurrent abdominopelvic mass following total abdominal hysterectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy and the difference that a detailed histological assessment could make in the proper management of such cases. Case note was reviewed. She was a 51-year-old woman who had Total Abdominal Hysterectomy & Bilateral Salpingo-oophrectomy for a clinically suspected and histologically diagnosed Uterine Leiomyoma. A debulking surgery was done later for a recurrence of the abdominopelvic mass and the repeated histology confirmed it to be a Leiomysarcoma. She however, died few days after the 2nd operation without the opportunity of benefiting from adjuvant cytotoxic therapy. A low index of suspicion and inadequate histopathologic assessment of tumor mass were the major contributory factors in this case. A more detailed histological assessment of fibroid masses would have prevented this and similar tragedy.

Nigerian Medical Practitioner Vol. 52 (2) 2007: pp. 47-49