Primary leiomyosarcoma of the colon: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Introduction: Primary leiomyosarcoma (LMS) of the colon is a rare and aggressive gastrointestinal tract tumor, associated with poor prognosis.

Case presentation and methods: We present the case of an asymptomatic patient who was diagnosed with a low sigmoidal stricture on routine colonoscopy. Although biopsies were inconclusive, an oncological partial mesorectal excision (PME) was performed due to the malignant macroscopic aspect. Pathological examination surprisingly revealed a LMS. The patient received no adjuvant chemo- or radiotherapy, but is seen on regular follow-up. We review the literature on leiomyosarcoma of the colon: its diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.

Results: Up until now the patient shows no sign of recurrence, 15 months postoperatively.

Conclusion: Radical resection is the treatment of choice for primary leiomyosarcoma of the colon and long-term follow-up is needed to evaluate metastatic disease or local recurrence.

Keywords:

• Leiomyosarcoma
• sarcoma
• colon
• gastrointestinal
• surgery

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.