Osseous metastases of uterine leiomyosarcoma: Analysis of survival & surgical management.

BACKGROUND

Uterine leiomyosarcoma represents a seldom-encountered subset within the spectrum of uterine malignancies. Occurrences of appendicular skeletal metastases in uterine leiomyosarcomas are infrequent. In this study, we examined patient surveys to elucidate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of individuals with uterine leiomyosarcoma exhibiting metastatic dissemination to these anatomical regions. We hypothesized that palliative surgical treatment would have no effect on survival in patients diagnosed with uterine leimyosarcoma with appendicular bone metastases.

METHODS

One hundred fourteen patients diagnosed with uterine leiomyosarcoma and treated at the Department of Oncologic Orthopedics at XXX hospital from 2004 to 2021 met the criteria for inclusion in this retrospective cohort study. The study specifically encompassed patients with histopathologically confirmed appendicular bone metastases secondary to uterine leiomyosarcoma, who underwent either surgical intervention or conservative treatment. Exclusion criteria involved patients with exclusive vertebral bone metastases, as well as those lacking essential examination and follow-up data. Notably, the study included nine follow-up patients with at least 2 years of follow-up who developed appendicular skeletal metastases during the follow-up period.

RESULTS

Of the 9 patients, 3 had humeral metastases, 2 had femoral metastases, 1 had femoral and diffuse pelvic metastases, and the other 3 had pelvic metastases. Bone metastases occurred at a mean of 33.3 ± 32.4 months (range 3 - 108) after the diagnosis. After bone metastasis, 6 patients died after an average of 40.3 ± 26.7 months (range 12-84 months). One patient with a pathologic fracture in the proximal humerus underwent resection arthroplasty, 1 patient with metastases in the proximal femur underwent resection arthroplasty, 2 patients with metastases to the femoral shaft underwent curettage-cementation (C&C) and intramedullary nailing, and 1 patient with persistent pelvic pain underwent C&C. No surgery was performed in the other patients.

CONCLUSION

In patients diagnosed with uterine leiomyosarcomas, survival did not differ between palliative surgery and conservative treatment after appendicular bone metastases. Patient assessment should be individualized, and overall health should be evaluated before palliative surgery is performed.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.