ABSTRACT
OBJETIVES: Gastric leiomyosarcomas are uncommon, represent 1 to 3% of primary malignant neoplasms of the stomach and variable in clinical outcomes. This paper is a retrospective study of the clinical behaviour, histopa thologic features and prognostic factors. METHODS: Between January 1990 and August 1996, the records of nine patients with primary gastric leio myosarcoma treated at Chung-Nam National University Hospital were reviewed for clinical presentations and histopathologic features. The statiscal analysis with SAS system was employed for evaluation of prognostic factors. RESULTS: 1) The median age of the patients was 53.4 years with even age distribution from 31 to 76 years. The male and female ratio was 1.25 to 1. 2) The common symptoms were abdominal pain(67%), bleeding(22%) and indigestion(11%). 3) The locations of the tumor was body(56%) and fundus(44%). The growth pattern of the tumor was mostly submucosal(67%). 4) The average size of tumors was 11cm (6-18cm). 5) The central ulcer on the tumor showed 100%. The endoscopically and preoperative diagnosed leiomyosar coma with endoscopic biopsy was 33% . 6) The low grade tumors were 7 cases and high grade was 1 in eight resected primary gastric leiomyosarcomas. 7) The overall resectability was 89%. The resected cases had no lymph node metastasis. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy was done 5 cases and 1 case, respectively in patients with high mitotic number, large size and distant metastases. 8) The follow-up period was 4 to 49 months and 3 patients were died. Two of 3 died patients were initially diagnosed stage IVA and 1 patient was stage II with very large size (18cm). The average survival time of 3 died patients was 37 months. 9) The two patients from surgically resected eight cases were recurred at liver and peritoneum and died 11 months and 31 months after recurrence, respectively. CONCLUSION: The advanced stage and recurred case has short survival time but the more many cases and longer follow-up periods should be need to identify for prognostic factors and the effective postoperative adju vant therapy should be studied for high risk patients.