Primary hepatic leiomyosarcoma in a woman after renal transplantation: report of a case

Surg Today. 2002;32(5):446-9. doi: 10.1007/s005950200073.

Abstract

In contrast to malignant lymphomas or skin cancer, smooth muscle tumors including leiomyosarcoma are rarely associated with transplant recipients. We herein present a 33-year-old woman with end-stage renal disease who received a transplant at 27 years of age. Four years after the transplantation, at age 31, she underwent a mastectomy because of primary right breast cancer, which was found to be a 5-mm-sized mucinous carcinoma with no regional lymph node metastasis. Six years after the transplantation, a liver tumor was unexpectedly discovered. An explorative laparotomy revealed a well-encapsulated tumor occupying the posterior portion of the right lobe of the liver. The patient underwent a posterior segmentectomy. Histologically, the tumor possessed intermingling fascicles of spindle cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm and elongated nuclei. Based on an immunohistochemical examination, the tumor cells were positive for the muscle-associated antibody. In addition, RNA probes for Epstein-Barr virus were negative based on in situ hybridization. The histologic, immunohistochemical findings were considered to be diagnostic for leiomyosarcoma, which is a low-grade malignancy. Two years after surgery, the patient is doing well with no recurrence of liver tumors or breast cancer.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Actins / analysis
  • Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / diagnosis
  • Adult
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Desmin / analysis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppression Therapy / adverse effects
  • Kidney Transplantation*
  • Leiomyosarcoma* / chemistry
  • Leiomyosarcoma* / immunology
  • Leiomyosarcoma* / pathology
  • Liver Neoplasms* / chemistry
  • Liver Neoplasms* / immunology
  • Liver Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / diagnosis

Substances

  • Actins
  • Desmin