Leiomyosarcoma arising from the ovarian vein as a gynecologic malignancy: Two case reports and a review of the literature

J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2022 Aug;48(8):2224-2230. doi: 10.1111/jog.15242. Epub 2022 Jul 6.

Abstract

Leiomyosarcoma arising from the ovarian vein has rarely been reported. Herein, we report two cases from a single institute. Given their direct connections to ovarian vessels, both leiomyosarcomas were initially suspected to be gynecological malignancies. In one case, leiomyosarcoma was discovered incidentally without any clinical symptoms; it had a close connection with the ovarian vein, was removed surgically, and the patient has survived for over 12 years. In another case, bowel obstruction caused by the tumor helped to identify metastatic leiomyosarcoma. Blood flow was supplied by the ovarian artery and grew into the lumen of the ovarian vein without invading adjacent organs. After surgical resection, the patient underwent 18 months of chemotherapy prior to palliative care. We propose that leiomyosarcoma arising from the ovarian vein should be treated as a gynecologic malignancy, especially if it develops in the lower abdomen.

Keywords: gynecologic malignancy; leiomyosarcoma; ovarian vein; retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abdomen / pathology
  • Female
  • Genital Neoplasms, Female*
  • Humans
  • Leiomyosarcoma* / diagnosis
  • Leiomyosarcoma* / pathology
  • Leiomyosarcoma* / surgery
  • Pelvis / pathology
  • Vascular Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Vascular Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Vascular Neoplasms* / surgery