The Leiomyosarcoma is a tumor that often goes undetected at first. However, early diagnosis can increase the chances of recovery.
What is a leiomyosarcoma?
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At a Leiomyosarcoma it is a comparatively rare malignant tumor on the so-called smooth (not deliberately controlled) muscles.
While leiomyosarcoma is present in about 1 in 100 cases of a malignant (malignant) lump in the uterus, the tumor can form on almost any part of the body with smooth muscles. According to the malignancy of a leiomyosarcoma, different forms of new tissue formation (of the tumor) can be distinguished - for example, the low-grade leiomyosarcoma is one of the comparatively less dangerous forms.
The leiomyosarcoma usually only occurs after the age of 30. The malignant tumor most commonly affects people during their 6th decade of life.
Symptoms associated with leiomyosarcoma are usually not very specific - in the uterus, the sarcoma often leads to rapid organ enlargement and bleeding.
causes
Regarding the specific causes of a Leiomyosarcoma there are still various ambiguities in medicine at present.
Contrary to what was assumed in earlier medical studies, according to current knowledge, the leiomyosarcoma does not develop as a degeneration of the leiomyoma (a benign tumor of the smooth muscles). Risk factors that promote the development of a so-called endometrial cancer (a malignant tumor of the uterus) can largely be excluded for leiomyosarcoma - such factors include obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension (high blood pressure) and childlessness.
Since leiomyosarcoma occurs more frequently in patients who are in their 6th decade of life, body processes that increasingly take place within this life span probably play a role in the development of tumors.
Symptoms, ailments & signs
The symptoms of leiomyosarcoma are relatively clear in most cases and therefore point directly to the disease. For this reason, early detection and treatment of this disease is also possible. Those affected suffer from the formation of tumors, which mainly occur in the abdomen.
The stomach enlarges enormously and there is severe abdominal pain. In many cases, leiomyosarcoma also damages the patient's liver, leading to severe liver pain or jaundice.The patients also have kidney diseases and in the worst case can die from them. Often the legs also swell, so that there are restrictions in movement and thus in the everyday life of the person concerned.
The life expectancy of the patient is significantly reduced and restricted by the leiomyosarcoma. If metastases develop, cancer can develop in other regions of the body and weaken the body. The complaints and symptoms strongly depend on the affected region. It is not uncommon for the disease to lead to psychological complaints or mood disorders, so that many patients also develop depression.
Diagnosis & course
Because of its comparatively unspecific symptoms, a Leiomyosarcoma often diagnosed by chance. The tissue of the malignant tumor cannot always be directly differentiated from that of the benign leiomyoma in the laboratory.
Characteristically, however, the leiomyosarcoma shows under microscopic examination a high diversity of cells and a characteristically increased rate of cell division. A leiomyosarcoma of the uterus shows a comparatively poor prognosis on average. However, the course of the disease depends on factors such as the extent of the tumor and the presence of metastases (a spread of malignant tumor cells).
A leiomyosarcoma that is less than 5 centimeters in diameter usually takes a more favorable course than larger tumors. The low-grade leiomyosarcoma usually shows a relatively favorable course of the disease with slower progression of the disease.
Complications
Since leiomyosarcoma is a tumor, it is always associated with complications. In the worst case, the tumor can lead to the death of the person affected if it is discovered late and treatment is therefore delayed. In many cases, however, the leiomyosarcoma does not show any characteristic complaints and symptoms, so that unfortunately the diagnosis is often late.
Those affected suffer from an enlarged liver and pain in the abdomen. Jaundice also occurs and patients may suffer from kidney problems. In the worst case, this leads to renal insufficiency, in which the person concerned is dependent on dialysis or a donor kidney in order not to die. The legs can also be swollen and painful from the leiomyosarcoma.
During treatment, the tumor is removed. There are usually no complications. However, chemotherapy can have various side effects that can reduce the quality of life. In some cases, however, the patient's life expectancy is reduced by the leiomyosarcoma if the disease does not progress positively.
When should you go to the doctor?
If an enlargement of the abdomen or any other sign of serious illness is noticed, a doctor should be consulted. The symptoms indicate that a leiomyosarcoma has formed. If you notice kidney disease or swelling in your legs, the condition may be advanced. At this point at the latest, the family doctor or a dermatologist must be called in, who can clarify the symptoms and, if necessary, suggest treatment.
If metastases have already formed, treatment must be started immediately. The affected person must go to the nearest doctor's office immediately and have typical complaints such as skin lumps, coughing up blood or stomach cramps clarified. If psychological problems have developed accompanying the tumor, a therapist must also be called in. Leiomyosarcoma is a serious condition that must always be evaluated and treated by a doctor. People with high blood pressure or diabetes mellitus are particularly vulnerable. Likewise people who are overweight and childless women. If you belong to these risk groups, it is best to talk to a doctor immediately if the symptoms are mentioned.
Treatment & Therapy
To a Leiomyosarcoma To treat successfully, it usually requires surgical removal of the tumor. This necessity is due to the fact that the malignant new tissue formation in most cases does not respond to conservative (non-surgical) treatment methods such as radiation or chemotherapy to the desired extent.
However, since leiomyosarcoma is a relatively rare type of tumor that can also take many different forms, the necessary therapeutic steps are usually based on the individual case. If a leiomyosarcoma has already metastasized in adjacent tissue, these also require surgical removal if this is medically possible.
It is not uncommon for a woman's ovaries to be affected by metastases from a leiomyosarcoma of the uterus. If this is the case, doctors often recommend a complete ovary removal, depending on the individual clinical picture. Such an intervention can reduce the risk that parts of the metastasis will remain in the ovaries.
If lymph nodes are affected by metastasis in the presence of leiomyosarcoma, removal of the lymph nodes (in contrast to the removal of affected ovaries) has so far usually not contributed to the healing success - therefore, a corresponding intervention is usually not carried out.
Outlook & forecast
The prognosis for leiomyosarcoma depends on the stage of diagnosis, the start of therapy and the general health of the person concerned. If left untreated, the cancer cells spread in the body and the tumor grows. Ultimately, the person concerned is threatened with premature death.
The more advanced the disease, the worse the prognosis will be. If the body has already metastasized, the prospect of recovery is significantly reduced. Cancer therapy is required, which is associated with numerous side effects and risks. Due to the large number of complaints, the impairment of quality of life and the course of the disease, secondary diseases often arise. For many, the emotional burden is unmanageable and the risks of mental illness are increased.
If the tumor can be completely removed during surgery, the future prospects are improved. In a subsequent chemotherapy, the new formation of cancer cells should be prevented. If there are no further complications, recovery is possible. In spite of the achieved healing, a new tumor formation can take place in the course of life. In most patients, the recurrence of symptoms leads to a deterioration in the prognosis. Often the body's own immune system is so weakened due to previous experiences that it is difficult to heal again.
prevention
Since the exact causes of a Leiomyosarcoma are currently largely unknown, it is hardly possible to prevent the disease. However, regular medical check-ups can help diagnose leiomyosarcoma at an early stage.
Early visits to the doctor in the event of unusual symptoms such as bleeding from the uterus independent of the cycle or bleeding despite the fact that menopause has already been completed (the age-related or developmental absence of menstrual bleeding) also help to detect a possible leiomyosarcoma early - in this way, further tumor growth can be prevented with the help of appropriate treatment steps .
Aftercare
In most cases, follow-up care options for leiomyosarcoma are significantly limited. Early detection of the disease is primarily important so that no further complications and complaints can occur. In leiomyosarcoma, self-healing cannot usually occur either, so that the person affected should consult a doctor as soon as the first symptoms and signs of the disease appear.
In the worst case, the tumor spreads throughout the body and ultimately leads to the death of the person concerned. Most of those affected are dependent on an operation in which the tumor is removed. In any case, the person affected should rest and rest after the procedure. Physical exertion or other stressful activities should be avoided in order not to expose the body to unnecessary stress.
Furthermore, even after the leiomyosarcoma has been successfully removed, regular checks and examinations by a doctor are necessary so that other tumors can be detected and removed at an early stage. Because of the illness, many of those affected depend on the support of their own families in their everyday lives. The leiomyosarcoma may also reduce the life expectancy of the person affected, although the further course depends heavily on the time of diagnosis.
You can do that yourself
The possibilities for self-help are very limited with a leiomyosarcoma. The primary focus here is on the early detection and treatment of the tumor, as this can prevent metastasis.
In the case of chemotherapy, patients need a lot of support in their everyday life. The support should not only take place on a physical, but also on a psychological level. Conversations with familiar or close people can have a positive effect on possible psychological complaints or depression. Children should always be fully informed about the disease in order to avoid mental disorders. Furthermore, those affected must always be supported in their everyday life in order to avoid unnecessary stress on the body. Above all, the help of friends or relatives always has a positive effect on the patient's state of health.
In addition to chemotherapy, some people also need radiation or surgery to remove the tumor. Complete healing does not always occur. Often, contact with other affected patients can also have a positive effect on the course of the disease and on the patient's quality of life.
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