Leiomyosarcomas of venous origin in the extremities. A correlated clinical, roentgenologic, and morphologic study with diagnostic and surgical implications

Abstract

This article presents a correlated clinical, roentgenologic, and morphologic study of six cases of leiomyosarcoma of large veins in the extremities. Growth of the tumor within the lumen of the affected vein was demonstrated by phlebography in one case and by angiography and computed tomography in one case. In all six cases, such growth was demonstrated by dissection of the surgical specimen. In four cases, arteriography showed both neovascularity at the site of the lesion and compression of the artery accompanying the affected vein. The compression apparently was caused by entrapment of the artery within the same preformed fibrous sheath (conjunctiva vasorum) that enclosed the tumor and the vein from which it had arisen. The histologic diagnosis was based on the light microscopic appearance in all cases and was supported by electron microscopic findings in three cases by the demonstration of ultrastructural features of leiomyoblasts. All six tumors were light microscopically of high-grade malignancy. Five of the patients died of metastatic tumor disease and one is alive with lung metastases. The information obtained by a careful physical examination combined with phlebography, arteriography, and computed tomography may be helpful in the clinical diagnosis and the planning of adequate surgical treatment.