Uterine sarcoma is a malignant tumor of the reproductive organ. Observations show that this type of lesion accounts for 3 percent of all pathological growths in this area. What are the symptoms of uterine sarcoma and how is the cancer treated?

Uterine sarcomais a type of malignant neoplasm affecting the reproductive organ. Such neoplasms are classified as non-epithelial tumors and classified asfibrosarcomas , which involve uterine smooth muscle, and endometrial sarcomas. Regardless of the type of sarcoma, they mainly affect women between 50 and 60 years of age. The neoplasm is very difficult to diagnose, therefore it is detected too late to be able to implement appropriate effective therapeutic management. The clinical picture is uncharacteristic. Patients report abnormal vaginal bleeding and pain in the lower abdomen. The most common location of uterine sarcoma is the endometrium, while the dominant type of tumor is leiomyosarcoma, which accounts for up to 70 percent of all uterine sarcomas. The second place in terms of frequency is taken by the so-called stromal sarcoma. sarcoma stromale, which accounts for 15 percent of cases. Other types belong to casuistry. As highlighted, sarcoma-type changes can occur at any age, but peak at the time of the menopause.

Risk factors for uterine sarcoma

As in the case of other neoplastic lesions, also in this case predictive factors for the development of uterine sarcoma were established. They are:

  • patient's older age
  • obesity
  • no offspring
  • state after irradiation of the smaller pelvis
  • taking the drug tamoxifen - the basic therapeutic substance in breast cancer.

Symptoms of uterine sarcoma

The characteristic symptoms of uterine sarcoma could not be identified. On the basis of some reported ailments, it can only be presumed about the development of this type of pathology. Most often, women suffering from uterine sarcoma report abnormal vaginal bleeding or pain in the lower abdomen. Due to the almost identical clinical picture, uterine sarcomas are very difficult to distinguish from the common pathology of the reproductive organ - uterine fibroids, which are a benign equivalent of sarcomas. Besides the aforementioned ailments laterAt the stage of advancement, there are complaints related to the excessive growth of the tumor mass and compression of the adjacent organs. As a result, bladder ailments may appear - pain when urinating, feeling full bladder, constant urge to urinate or from the rectum - pain when passing stools.

Sarcomas, unlike benign myomas, can cause metastases that are transmitted mainly through the bloodstream. The most common site of metastasis is the lungs, therefore, apart from the symptoms of the reproductive organ, respiratory symptoms may also appear, such as dyspnoea, pleural pain, cough, coughing up blood-colored secretions.

Diagnosis of uterine sarcoma

Most lesions are detected completely by chance, either by hysteroscopy for some other reason or by myomectomy (surgical removal of the uterine myoma), when specimens are routinely peeled for histopathological examination. Ultrasonography is an auxiliary tool, although it is more used to diagnose the pathological mass within the uterus than to make a final diagnosis. In addition, the images of sarcoma and myoma on ultrasound are so similar that it is impossible to conclude which type we are dealing with. In the case of suspicion of metastatic changes, it is recommended to perform CT or MR to locate suspected foci.

Treatment of uterine sarcoma

The procedure of choice in the diagnosis of uterine sarcoma is the surgical removal of the uterus, including the appendages. As a complement to the therapy, radio- or chemotherapy is recommended, the latter especially in the presence of metastatic foci. The management plan depends on the type of histological change in the degree of differentiation or stage.

Hormone therapy is dedicated to highly differentiated changes, with the use of progestogens, gonadoliberin analogues or aromatase inhibitors.

Category:

Oncology