Metastatic leiomyosarcoma of the excluded stomach: a case report

Abstract

Background: Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) represents about 1% of primary malignancies of the stomach, usually evolves with hepatic implants in 2-thirds of cases, and the outcome is frequently poor. With an insidious course, late diagnosis and misdiagnosis with other gastric neoplasia occur. Immunohistochemical evaluations are mandatory to confirm the diagnostic hypothesis. Surgical resection has been the more effective treatment of gastric LMS; however, recurrences after resections and distant metastases may develop in up to 50% of the patients. Doxorubicin, gemcitabine, and docetaxel are therapeutic options, with variable responses. Case presentation: The 52-year-old male herein described with a diagnosis of LMS in the gastric pouch and liver metastasis underwent a Roux-en-Y bypass to treat morbid obesity more than a decade ago. Persistent abdominal pain was a unique symptom, and he had liver metastasis at diagnosis. The initial hypothesis was a metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) of the excluded stomach and the patient underwent a schedule with imatinib without significant response. After a complete revision of the anatomopathological findings, the patient underwent a new biopsy of the gastric mass, and the immunohistochemical data were consistent with LMS. Then doxorubicin replaced imatinib, later changed by gemcitabine associated with docetaxel. As last control found lesions in the central nervous system, he is under radiotherapy sessions. Conclusion: The diagnosis of gastric LMS often occurs at late stages because of the insidious clinical course. The rate of liver metastasis at diagnosis is high. Besides, the relatively poor response to the alternative management for non-surgical stages of the disease yields severe outcomes.