Cotyledonoid dissecting leiomyoma of the uterus with intravascular growth in postmenopausal woman: a case presentation

Int J Clin Oncol. 2011 Dec;16(6):701-4. doi: 10.1007/s10147-011-0184-8. Epub 2011 Feb 18.

Abstract

Cotyledonoid dissecting leiomyoma ("Sternberg tumor") is an unusual type of a benign uterine smooth-muscle tumor with a distinctive gross appearance. A 57-year-old woman (gravida 7, para 6), in menopause for 3 years, presented with a 3-4-year history of increased pelvic pain. The transvaginal ultrasound scan showed a 2.5 cm sized heterogenic mass in the uterus cavity and 4 × 5 cm sized irregular contoured mass in the right lateral aspect of the uterus. Total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy were performed with removal of the pelvic tumor extension. Definite pathologic examination result was cotyledonoid dissecting leiomyoma of the uterus with intravascular growth. The patient is receiving follow-up care every 6 months, and she has no evidence of disease after 22 months of follow-up. The worrying appearance of the gross specimen is often mistaken for malignant or non-uterine lesions that may result in overtreatment. It is important to be aware of this entity to prevent overly aggressive treatment for this benign smooth-muscle neoplasm.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abdomen / pathology
  • Female
  • Gynecological Examination / methods
  • Humans
  • Hysterectomy / methods
  • Leiomyoma / diagnosis*
  • Leiomyoma / pathology
  • Leiomyoma / surgery*
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography
  • Middle Aged
  • Ovariectomy / methods
  • Postmenopause
  • Uterine Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Uterine Neoplasms / pathology
  • Uterine Neoplasms / surgery*