Unexpected uterine leiomyosarcoma in a woman with multiple myomas treated with ulipristal acetate: case report and literature review

Gynecol Endocrinol. 2018 Mar;34(3):192-194. doi: 10.1080/09513590.2017.1380186. Epub 2017 Sep 21.

Abstract

Ulipristal acetate (UPA) has been recognized as an alternative strategy to surgery in the management of symptomatic women with uterine fibroids. We present a case report on a woman with hereditary fibrinogen deficiency exclusively treated with UPA for myoma-related menorrhagia and abdominal pain, who subsequently underwent a hysterectomy because of clinical worsening. A FIGO IB uterine leiomyosarcoma was found among multiple myomas. A review of the literature found two other cases of uterine leiomyosarcoma in patients treated with UPA: clinical data are reported. The aim of this case report is to increase clinicians' awareness that, although rare, leiomyosarcoma can develop in a uterus with multiple myomas and no reliable diagnostic tools exist yet. Thus, a clinical and instrumental careful reevaluation and patient counseling should be a priority when planning to repeat UPA treatment cycles.

Keywords: ulipristal acetate; uterine leiomyosarcoma; uterine myoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leiomyomatosis / drug therapy
  • Leiomyomatosis / pathology
  • Leiomyomatosis / surgery*
  • Leiomyosarcoma / drug therapy
  • Leiomyosarcoma / pathology
  • Leiomyosarcoma / surgery*
  • Middle Aged
  • Norpregnadienes / therapeutic use*
  • Uterine Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Uterine Neoplasms / pathology
  • Uterine Neoplasms / surgery*

Substances

  • Norpregnadienes
  • ulipristal acetate