Cytology of metastatic leiomyosarcoma. A case report

Abstract

Background: Metastasis of leiomyosarcoma is not uncommon. Determination of the primary site may be confused with the presenting symptoms and even the known pathology.

Case: A 62-year-old man presented with chest pain, a productive cough and a lung mass on radiography. Fine needle aspiration of the tumor showed pleomorphic tumor cells. The patient began to have abdominal symptoms one year after presentation. Jejunal leiomyosarcoma was proven after an emergency exploratory laparotomy for mechanical ileus. Sputum cytology disclosed tumor cells one month before death. Necropsy of the lung mass demonstrated findings similar to those of the intestinal tumor microscopically.

Conclusion: Without laparotomy, our patient would have been diagnosed as having a primary pulmonary leiomyosarcoma by the presenting symptoms and known pathology.