RETROPERITONEAL LEIOMYOSARCOMA: A CASE REPORT AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

A 46-year-old woman with a year and 10 months history of left flank pain was admitted to our clinic in January, 1980. Several x-ray examinations and abdominal computed tomography revealed left renal tumor. At laparotomy, the tumor was seen as if originating from the lower pole of the left kidney, and infiltrating the psoas muscle. The tumor including the left kidney and superficial layer of the psoas muscle was removed. The surgical specimen weighed 310g. Microscopically, there was an intact renal capsule between the tumor and renal parenchyma. So, the tumor was considered to be retroperitoneal in origin. Pathological diagnosis was leiomiyosarcoma. Postoperatively, actinomycin-D 0.5mg daily was administered for 5 days. But, it was discontinued because of anorexia. About 6 months after operation, chest x-ray examination disclosed lung metastasis. One year after operation, the patient died of multiple visceral metastasis, i.e., to the lungs, right kidney, liver and pancreas. Lumbar spines and contralateral retroperitoneal metastasis were also seen. The 27 cases reported in Japan, including our case, were tabulated and some discussion was made