Pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of uterine lipoleiomyoma: A review

Abstract

Uterine lipoleiomyomas are variants of uterine leiomyomas and are characterized by progressive enlargement that can occur even after menopause. These tumors can produce serious clinical symptoms and are difficult to diagnosis preoperatively. The growth rate of uterine lipoleiomyomas after menopause is comparatively higher than that of conventional uterine leiomyomas, and lipoleiomyosarcomas as well as tumor-to-tumor metastasis associated with lipoleiomyomas have been reported. However, detailed histogenic mechanisms of the tumor remain unclear. Surgical treatments are the current choice for the management of lipoleiomyomas. The purpose of this review is to promote greater awareness of lipoleiomyoma characteristics with a focus on histogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment. We performed an exhaustive literature review and have summarized the available data. We assessed the interpretation of auxiliary examinations to help physicians in making an early accurate diagnosis of the disease and to help with treatment decision-making, particularly regarding whether surgery should be performed or avoided.

Keywords: Diagnosis; Pathogenesis; Treatment; Uterine lipoleiomyoma.