What Is the Survival Rate for Leiomyosarcoma? Symptoms & Causes

What is the best treatment for leiomyosarcoma?

The treatment for leiomyosarcoma is individualized based on the size, grade, stage and location of the tumor. In addition to standard treatments, it is also possible to enroll in clinical trials for new treatments. Standard treatments for leiomyosarcoma typically include a combination of the following:

Surgery

The primary treatment for leiomyosarcoma is surgical removal of the tumor wherever possible, whether it is an isolated tumor or metastatic tumors. If the tumor is in one of the limbs, it is typically removed with wide margins and a tissue graft may be used to replace the removed tissue. Nearby lymph nodes may also be removed, if the tumor has spread to them.

If significant blood vessels, nerves and muscles have to be removed because of the tumor, it can affect the limb function or cause chronic pain. In such cases limb amputation may be an option. If the tumors have spread to other organs such as lungs, they are removed to the extent possible.

Radiation and chemotherapy are often used after surgery to destroy cancer cells, particularly when it is not possible to remove the tumor with wide margins. Radiation and/or chemotherapy may sometimes be used to shrink large tumors before surgery.

Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy is the use of high-energy rays or particles directed at the tumor cells to destroy them. X-rays or proton streams are used in radiation therapy; however, proton therapy is not widely available. Radiation is the primary treatment when surgery is not possible for any reason.

Radiation may be given externally with the X-ray beams directed at the tumor, or internally (brachytherapy) for uterine leiomyosarcoma. The surgeon may also give a large dose of radiation directly at the site of the tumor after its removal, before closing the wound.

Medical therapy

Medical therapy for leiomyosarcoma is a systemic treatment useful in advanced cancers that have spread. Medical therapies include:

• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is the use of medications that are toxic to all cells that are in the phase of growth and division. Chemotherapy is lethal to cancer cells because they are constantly growing and dividing.
• Targeted therapy: Targeted therapy medications do not kill cancer cells, but slow down tumor growth by blocking the activity of specific proteins that help tumors grow. Certain targeted therapy methods also prevent new blood vessel formation in tumors, starving them of oxygen and nutrients.
• Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy medications enhance the patient’s own immune system’s ability to recognize and attack the cancer cells.