Leiomyosarcoma

Overview

Leiomyosarcoma is a type of soft tissue sarcoma that affects the smooth muscle tissues, which can be found in the blood vessels, digestive system, urinary system and uterus. Leiomyosarcoma usually starts in the abdomen and uterus. It is a rare type of cancer which begins to show as an abnormal cells growth that rapidly increase in size and damages healthy structures around it. The signs and symptoms manifested will depend on the location of the cancer such as mass or skin swelling.

Symptoms

The following signs and symptoms can be observed on patients with leiomyosarcoma:

• Pain
• Fever
• Exhustion
• Unexplained weight loss
• Bloated abdomen
• Nausea and vomiting
• Lump under the skin

Digestive system leiomyosarcoma signs and symptoms:

• Abdominal pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Black colored stool

Uterine leiomyosarcoma signs and syptoms:

• Abnormal discharges or bleeding from the vagina
• Frequent urination

Causes

The causes of sarcoma are unclear. Cancer generally begins when the DNA of the healthy cells mutates causing uncontrolled duplication, resulting in abnormal cells also known as a tumor. This tumor then starts to destroy the healthy cells in the surrounding areas causing them to metastasize (spread to other parts of the body).

Risk factors

• Radiation therapy for cancer is a contributing risk factor for sarcoma.
• Exposure to chemicals such as pesticides and weed killers.