Uterine polyps, adenomyosis, leiomyomas, and endometrial receptivity

Endometrial polyps, adenomyosis, and leiomyomas are commonly encountered abnormalities frequently found in both fertile women and those with infertility. The clinician is frequently challenged to determine which of these entities, when found, is likely to impair fertility, and which are "innocent bystanders" unrelated to the problem at hand. Although removing an endometrial polyp may be seen as a relatively benign and safe intervention, myomectomy, and in particular adenomyomectomy, can be substantive surgical procedures, associated with their own potential for disrupting fertility. One of the mechanisms thought to be involved when these entities are contributing to infertility is an adverse impact on endometrial receptivity. Indeed polyps, adenomyosis, and leiomyomas have all been associated with an increased likelihood of abnormal endometrial molecular expressions thought to impair implantation and early embryo development. This review is designed to examine the relationship of these common entities to endometrial receptivity and to identify evidence gaps that should be considered when strategizing research initiatives. It is apparent that we have the tools necessary to fill these gaps, but it will be necessary to approach the issue in a strategic and coordinated fashion. It is likely that we will have to recognize the limitations of imaging alone and look to the evidence-based addition of molecular analysis to provide the individualized phenotyping of disease necessary for patient-specific treatment decisions.

Subungual Leiyomyoma Presenting as Erythronychia: Case Report and Review of the Literature

We report a rare case of leiomyoma of the fingernail in a 59-year-old woman. She presented with red discoloration, lifting, and distal splitting of her left 2nd fingernail for several months. She reported sensitivity at baseline which became more painful in the cold. Histopathology sections from the nail matrix biopsy specimen showed a dermal proliferation of bland appearing spindle shaped cells with elongated, blunt ended nuclei (SMA and caldesmon positive), arranged in fascicles, which is typical of leiomyomas. Interestingly, our patient had a history of uterine leiomyoma, requiring hysterectomy. To our knowledge, this case is the first report in which a subungual leiomyoma is associated with another leiomyoma in the same patient. J Drugs Dermatol. 2019;18(5):465-467.

Leiomyoma: Its Variants And Secondary Changes A Five-Year Study

BACKGROUND

Abnormal uterine bleeding is a common problem encountered by the gynaecologists, leiomyoma being one of the most common causes. An accurate knowledge of the different variants and secondary changes occurring in leiomyoma is essential as some of these may mimic malignancy clinically, radiologically and histologically. Some important examples being atypical, cellular and mitotically active leiomyoma. Similarly, hydropic and myxoid change can be misdiagnosed as malignancy. While dealing with these variants and changes, leiomyosarcoma although a rare tumour has to be excluded because of the difference in management. Hence a comprehensive knowledge of all the variants is mandatory to avoid misdiagnosis.

METHODS

This study was carried out at the Pathology Department of Ayub Medical College Abbottabad where 964 cases of leiomyoma of the female genital tract were studied. These cases were received during the period January 2013 to December 2017.

RESULTS

The most common variant of leiomyoma was cellular leiomyoma while hyaline degeneration was the most common secondary change identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Accurate knowledge of these variants and degenerative changes in leiomyomas are mandatory to prevent misdiagnosis and over treatment along with undue stress to the patient. Secondly it is important to identify variants which require follow-up.

NLRC5 and autophagy combined as possible predictors in patients with endometriosis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the levels of NLRC5 and autophagy in women with leiomyoma and endometriosis and the correlation between NLRC5 level and autophagy level.

DESIGN

Case-control study.

SETTING

Clinics.

PATIENT(S)

Sixty-five patients were recruited: 30 women with endometriosis were compared with 35 women with leiomyoma.

INTERVENTION(S)

Endometriosis was definitively diagnosed during surgery by laparoscopy or laparotomy and was confirmed by histopathological evaluation (n=30). Secretory phase ectopic endometrium tissues and eutopic endometrium tissues were obtained from 30 women with endometriosis. Control endometrium tissues were collected at hysterectomy from 35 women with leiomyoma. Immunohistochemical staining of NLRC5, LC3, Beclin1 and P62 were performed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

A semiquantitative analysis was performed. Correlations between NLRC5 level and LC3, Beclin1, P62 levels were compared.

RESULT(S)

The expressions of NLRC5 and P62 in the ectopic and eutopic endometrium of endometriosis groups were significantly higher than that in the endometrium of leiomyoma group. And their expressions in ectopic endometrium were significantly up-regulated compared to the eutopic endometrium. The expressions of LC3 and Beclin1 were down-regulated in the ectopic and eutopic endometrium of endometriosis groups compared to the leiomyoma group. LC3 and Beclin1 levels were lower in ectopic endometrium than in the eutopic endometrium. There is a negative correlation between NLRC5 level and LC3, Beclin1 levels. There is a positive correlation between NLRC5 level and P62 level.

CONCLUSION(S)

There is a negative correlation between NLRC5 level and autophagy level. NLRC5 and autophagy combined may as promising predictors in patients with endometriosis.

Esophageal leiomyoma in a dog causing esophageal distension and treated by transcardial placement of a self-expanding, covered, nitinol esophageal stent

CASE DESCRIPTION A 10-year-old spayed female Rottweiler was referred for evaluation because of a 2-month history of regurgitation and weight loss, despite no apparent change in appetite. The dog had received antiemetic and antacid treatment, without improvement. CLINICAL FINDINGS Physical examination revealed a low body condition score (2/5), but other findings were unremarkable. Diffuse, global esophageal dilatation was noted on plain thoracic radiographs, and normal motility was confirmed through videofluoroscopic evaluation of swallowing. Transhepatic ultrasonographic and CT examination revealed a circumferential, intraparietal lesion in the distal portion of the esophagus causing distal esophageal or cardial subobstruction and no metastases. Incisional biopsy of the lesion was performed, and findings of histologic examination supported a diagnosis of esophageal leiomyoma. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME In view of numerous possible complications associated with esophageal surgery, the decision was made to palliatively treat the dog by transcardial placement of a self-expanding, covered, nitinol esophageal stent under endoscopic guidance. Two weeks after stent placement, radiography revealed complete migration of the stent into the gastric lumen. Gastrotomy was performed, and the stent was replaced and fixed in place. Twenty-four months after initial stent placement, the dog had a healthy body condition and remained free of previous clinical signs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Diffuse benign muscular neoplasia should be considered as a differential diagnosis for acquired esophageal dilatation in adult and elderly dogs. In the dog of this report, transcardial stent placement resulted in resolution of the clinical signs, with no apparent adverse effect on digestive function. The described procedure could be beneficial for nonsurgical treatment of benign esophageal tumors in dogs.

Uterine Leiomyosarcoma

Uterine leiomyosarcoma (uLMS) is a rare entity among malignant gynecologic tumors with a very unfavorable prognosis and the highest prevalence in the pre- and peri-menopause. Only early-stage tumors have an acceptable prognosis, provided the patient has been treated without injuring the uterus. uLMS is often diagnosed accidentally and the correct diagnosis ishampered by equivocal features similar to the far more frequent benign uterine fibroids. Surgery is the basis of therapy, and it should be done in order to remove the uterus intact. As vaginal, abdominal, and endoscopic surgery - possibly including morcellation - are the methods of choice for the treatment of uterine fibroids, pre-operatively undiagnosed leiomyosarcoma detected by pathologic examination will have a worsened prognosis. Systemic treatment and radiotherapy are of no proven value in the adjuvant setting. Thus, there is strong need for a reliable pre-operative risk score for leiomyosarcoma in order to justify diagnostic means beyond clinical routine and to choose the correct surgical pathway. The clinical problems in the diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma and treatment are exemplified by a case report of a 30-year-old childless patient. Diagnostic tools as well as treatment options in adjuvant and palliative situations are reviewed.

[Myoma with an intra-abdominal bleeding]

I this case report a 37-year-old nulliparous woman was admitted for acute onset of abdominal pain. CT scan showed a homogeneous tumour related to the internal genitalia and extravasation of contrast material, but the site of bleeding was not identifiable. Ultrasonography revealed leiomyoma and haemoperitoneum, and emergency laparoscopy was performed. There was an ongoing venous bleeding from two subserosal myomas. Myomectomy was done, and 588 g tissue was removed with a benign histology. Spontaneous rupture of a vessel overlying a uterine myoma has been documented in the literature, though it is extremely rare.

Moving Toward Individualized Medicine for Uterine Leiomyomas

Uterine leiomyomas are common and life-altering for many women. Despite a wide range of symptoms, varying characteristics of the uterus and the leiomyomas themselves, and many alternatives, hysterectomy accounts for almost three fourths of all surgical therapy, yet there is increasing evidence for a variety of procedural therapies for symptomatic leiomyomas and a new generation of medical therapies under development. With increasing evidence of long-term risk from hysterectomy and new data regarding leiomyoma biology, individualized medical approaches to leiomyomas are likely in the near future. Key biological attributes that influence this disease process are common driver mutations and the new appreciation of the interaction of smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts. Additionally, the interaction between cell types and steroid hormone responsiveness likely plays a role in pathogenesis that can be leveraged in individualized therapy. However, given the independent clonal nature of leiomyomas within the same uterus, moving in the direction of biopsies for individual leiomyomas to understand the biology is unlikely to be fruitful. Use of advanced imaging will likely continue to evolve not only to accurately predict malignant disease, including sarcomas, but to predict leiomyoma subtypes, response to therapy, or both. We predict the continued evolution of therapy from excisional or interventional therapies to medical therapies and ultimately prediction of at-risk individuals. Ideally, individualized therapies will offer primary prevention for women at high risk of leiomyomas and secondary prevention after initial treatment.

One case report of giant atypical leiomyoma of the ovary

RATIONALE

Ovarian leiomyoma is a rare ovarian tumor that occurs in 20-65 year-old women, and is mostly misdiagnosed as malignant tumor. In most reports on this type of tumor, ovarian myoma has a benign histology. Herein,we describe a case of ovarian atypical leiomyoma.

PATIENT CONCERNS

The patient is a 58-year-old woman. At the age of 40 years old, the patient underwent hysterectomy due to "hysteromyoma" and secondary anemia. The patient was admitted to our hospital due to palpation of lower abdominal mass and abdominal distention.

DIAGNOSES

A mass was revealed at the left uterine appendage by pelvic ultrasound and CT.Pathology and immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of the left ovarian atypical leiomyoma.

INTERVENTIONS

Pelvic cavity resection and right adnexectomy were performed during laparotomy for the patient.

OUTCOMES

Without radiotherapy or chemotherapy, there were no signs of tumor recurrence in a 9-month follow-up period.

LESSONS

When a solid mass appears in ovarian tissues, ovarian leiomyoma should be considered. Patients with this type of tumor are mostly asymptomatic. Preoperative diagnosis was difficult, intraoperative frozen section would be helpful for determining the scope of the surgery, and the correct diagnosis was made by identifying the properties of smooth muscles through postoperative pathology and immunohistochemistry.

Transethnic and race-stratified genome-wide association study of fibroid characteristics in African American and European American women

OBJECTIVE

To identify, through genome-wide association studies, genetic loci that associate with differences in fibroid size and number in a population of African American and European American women.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Not applicable.

PATIENT(S)

Using BioVU, a clinical population from the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults cohort, a prospective cohort, we identified 1520 women (609 African American and 911 European American) with documented fibroid characteristics.

INTERVENTION(S)

None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Outcome measurements include volume of largest fibroid, largest fibroid dimension, and number of fibroids (single vs. multiple).

RESULT(S)

In race-stratified analyses we achieved genome-wide significance at a variant located between MAT2B and TENM2 (rs57542984, β = 0.13; 95% confidence interval 0.09, 0.17) for analyses of largest fibroid dimension in African Americans. The strongest signal for transethnic analyses was at a variant on 1q31.1 located between PLA2G4A and BRINP3 (rs6605005, β = 0.24; 95% confidence interval 0.15, 0.33) for fibroid volume. Results from MetaXcan identified an association between predicted expression of the gene ER degradation enhancing alpha-mannosidase like protein 2 (EDEM2) in the thyroid and number of fibroids (Z score = -4.51).

CONCLUSION(S)

This study identified many novel associations between genetic loci and fibroid size and number in both race-stratified and transethnic analyses. Future studies are necessary to further validate our study findings and to better understand the mechanisms underlying these associations.

[MODERN VIEW ON ETIOPATHOGENESIS AND NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR DIAGNOSIS OF UTERINE FIBROIDS]

Uterine fibroids remain a burning issue for modern gynecology and cause suffering to women, significantly worsening their quality of life. This article includes the latest information about etiology, risk factors, pathobiochemical, genetic and immunological features of pathogenesis, clinical findings, early detection of fibroids and sarcoma differential diagnostic criteria by ultrasonography and MRI. Foreign publications form the basis of the given article, as well as domestic ones.

Immunoexpression of progesterone receptor, epithelial growth factor receptor and galectin-3 in uterine smooth muscle tumors

Uterine smooth muscle tumors constitute a spectrum of neoplasms. Diagnosis of leiomyomas (LMs) is usually straight forwards; however, atypical leiomyomas (ALMs) and smooth muscle tumors of uncertain malignant potential (STUMPs) have overlapping features and need to be distinguished from leiomyosarcoma. To evaluate progesterone receptor (PR), epithelial growth factor receptor (EGF-R), and galectin-3 expression in LMs, ALMs, STUMPs, and leiomyosarcomas and to assess their possible role in differentiating those tumors. Immunoexpression of EGF-R, PR, and galectin-3 were studied in 44 cases of uterine smooth muscle tumors through retrospective study. Studied cases included 20 LM, 9 ALM, 5 STUMP, and 10 leiomyosarcomas. A semiquantitative score was used to evaluate immunohistochemical staining. EGF-R overexpression was detected in leiomyosarcomas while a lack of or reduced EGF-R expression was observed in the nonsarcomatous group (LMs, ALMs, and STUMPs) with a highly significant difference. On the contrary, there was weak or negative PR staining in leiomyosarcomas compared to intense PR expression in the nonsarcomatous group with a highly significant difference. Meanwhile, galectin-3 was downregulated in leiomyosarcomas compared to the nonsarcomatous group with a significant difference. Correlation analysis revealed negative correlation between EGF-R and PR expression with significant statistical results while correlation of galectin-3 with EGF-R and PR showed insignificant statistical results. Immunoexpression of EGF-R, PR, and galectin-3 could help differentiate challenging cases of uterine smooth muscle tumors. Further studies are recommended to investigate interactions between EGF-R, PR, and galectin-3 and to plan new therapeutic strategies.

Smooth Muscle Tumors of the Breast: Clinicopathologic Features of Two Cases

Two cases of smooth muscle tumor of the breast with high tendency to local relapses are reported. The common cytohistologic feature of these infrequent neoplasms is interfacing bundles with spindle-shaped cells showing eosinophilic cytoplasm and blunt-ended nuclei. In estimating the prognosis of these lesions, the mitotic index must be evaluated together with evidence of necrosis and hypercellularity. The present cases suggest that, in the absence of the ancillary features, a mitotic rate of 1-3 × 10 HPF might define a “grey zone” in the spectrum of lesions between leiomyomas and leiomyosarcomas: the smooth muscle tumors of indeterminate prognosis (low risk lesions).

Leiomyoma of the Esophagus

Seven cases of leiomyoma of the thoracic esophagus were successfully treated by simple extramucosal enucleation of the neoplasm, and one case of leiomyoma of the cardia was cured after esophago-gastric resection. The rarity of this neoplasm, which often shows a non-esophageal symptomatology, is emphasised and the diagnostic aids are described. The treatment of choice is conservative surgery, which is indicated in all cases, both because of the expanding character of the lesion and its possible malignant evolution.

Leiomyoma of the Esophagus

A review of the clinical records from 1947 to 1984 of the Istituto Nazionale Tumori of Milan provided 20 cases (14 males and 6 females) of esophageal leiomyoma. Eighteen of the tumors were in the thoracic esophagus and 2 were at the cardiac level. The most frequent symptoms were dysphagia, slight epigastralgia and odynophagia. Differential diagnosis should be made with mediastinic neoplasms and esophageal cancer. Barium swallow and esophagoscopy are the most sensitive procedures for a correct preoperative diagnosis. Surgery is mandatory because of the tendency to a continuous endoluminal growth (in 97% of the cases) and a possible malignant transformation. However, surgery is conservative: extramucosal enucleation of the leiomyoma is the procedure of choice. The long-term results are excellent, and morbidity is acceptable.

Teledermatology leading to an important diagnosis in an underserved clinic

Cutaneous signs can be the first manifestation of important medical diagnoses, including inherited cancer syndromes, but access to dermatologic evaluation is especially challenging for uninsured patients. Herein, we present a case in which a volunteer academic teledermatology triage program was used by a community health clinic to make a diagnosis of multiple cutaneous leiomyomas, which confer a high likelihood of hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer syndrome, also known as Reed syndrome; this prompted malignancy screening for the patient. Importantly, this case underscores the potential for teledermatology to improve access to dermatologist evaluation and make crucial diagnoses in patients with barriers to care.

[Urethral leiomyoma]

In urology practice, leiomyoma of the urinary bladder is considered a rare tumor. Urethral leiomyoma is even more unusual. This article is a case report of a very rare benign tumor originating from the smooth muscles of the urethra causing obstructive voiding in a woman.

Uterine fibroid or ovarian fibroma: importance of comprehensive preoperative consent-taking to include unexpected findings with management implications

A 35-year-old woman presented with an abdominal mass found incidentally on an ultrasound scan. On examination, the uterus was mobile and 14 weeks in size. Further imaging showed a large subserosal pedunculated fibroid, and she was counselled for laparoscopic myomectomy, morcellation in a bag, kept in open view. Intraoperatively, the mass was noted to be arising from the right ovarian ligament instead of the uterus, and decision was made to convert to open surgery. This case highlights important issues of consent-taking preoperatively and critical points to note regarding change in operative consent intraoperatively. This also highlights the importance of multidisciplinary cooperation as the decision had to be made with inputs made from gynae-oncology and pathology.

Primary extra-uterine and extra-ovarian mullerian adenosarcoma: case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Extra-uterine mullerian adenosarcomas have varying biological behaviours depending on the presence of endometriosis or sarcomatous overgrowth. These behaviours manifest according to the tumours' histological characteristics and sites of origin. The best treatment and oncologic outcome have not been clarified because only a few cases of extra-uterine and extra-ovarian adenosarcoma have been described in the literature. Here, we report a case of primary peritoneal adenosarcoma with sarcomatous overgrowth and review all reported cases of adenosarcomas arising outside of the uterus and outside the ovaries to identify the best treatment options and clarify outcomes.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 79-year-old woman was referred to our Department with an abdominal mass resembling a fibroid with a haemorrhage. Her gynaecological history was negative. A transvaginal and transabdominal ultrasound examination revealed a multicystic mass resembling an ovarian tumour arising from the pelvis and extending up to the abdomen. At laparotomy a peritoneal mass arising from Douglas peritoneum was resected. The uterus and adnexa appeared normal, and a supra-cervical hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was performed. No macroscopic residual disease was present. Final pathology diagnosed a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors with divergent differentiation. Four weeks later a new, multicystic mass was found. Due to the progressive poor condition, the patient died four months after diagnosis. Histological slides were reviewed by external expert pathologists and the final diagnosis was of extra-genital adenosarcoma with sarcomatous overgrowth. Furthermore, we also collected and analysed articles written in English regarding extra-uterine and extra-ovarian adenosarcomas published between January 1974 and October 2016. PubMed was used as a database for this search. Clinical and pathological characteristics, treatments and outcomes were assessed.

CONCLUSIONS

Only 41 cases has been reported in literature. Previous endometriosis and sarcomatous overgrowth showed an inverse effect on prognosis. Endometriosis was confirmed to have a positive effect on disease free survival Complete surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment. A worldwide registry is urgently required to collect data to standardize treatment and to obtain reliable data on prognosis.

A Fast 3-Dimensional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Reconstruction for Surgical Planning of Uterine Myomectomy

BACKGROUND

Uterine myoma is the most common benign gynecologic tumor in reproductive-aged women. During myomectomy for women who want to preserve fertility, it is advisable to detect and remove all myomas to decrease the risk of additional surgery. However, finding myomas during surgery is often challenging, especially for deep-seated myomas. Therefore, three-dimensional (3D) preoperative localization of myomas can be helpful for the surgical planning for myomectomy. However, the previously reported manual 3D segmenting method takes too much time and effort for clinical use. The objective of this study was to propose a new method of rapid 3D visualization of uterine myoma using a uterine template.

METHODS

Magnetic resonance images were listed according to the slide spacing on each plane of the multiplanar reconstruction, and images that were determined to be myomas were selected by simply scrolling the mouse down. By using the selected images, a 3D grid with a slide spacing interval was constructed and filled on its plane and finally registered to a uterine template.

RESULTS

The location of multiple myomas in the uterus was visualized in 3D and this proposed method is over 95% faster than the existing manual-segmentation method. Not only the size and location of the myomas, but also the shortest distance between the uterine surface and the myomas, can be calculated. This technique also enables the surgeon to know the number of total, removed, and remaining myomas on the 3D image.

CONCLUSION

This proposed 3D reconstruction method with a uterine template enables faster 3D visualization of myomas.

[Intravenous leiomyomatosis as a rare tumor of myometrium]

AIM

To present a case of a woman diagnosed with intravenous leiomyomatosis of the uterus.

TYPE OF STUDY

Case report.

SETTING

Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Středomoravská nemocniční a.s., Přerov Hospital.

CASE REPORT

A 39-year old woman was referred to our unit with uterine fibroids, dysfunctional uterine bleeding and anaemia. Abdominal hysterectomy was performed. The histopathological analysis diagnosed the presence of intravenous leiomyomatosis. After a thorough literature review, we decided to perform an adnexectomy. It was not possible to perform this laparoscopically due to adhesions from previous operation. A conversion to open surgery was necessary.

CONCLUSION

Intravenous leiomyomatosis is a rare clinical condition characterised by the ability of the leiomyoma to spread outside the uterus via the venous system. The diagnosis is difficult to obtain and can only be made after histopathological examination. There are no universal treatment guidelines in place at present.

Ovarian leiomyoma with myxoid stroma

Ovarian smooth muscle tumours are rare. Notable myxoid change in smooth muscle tumours is uncommon, and raises diagnostic issues that need to be considered on evaluating a spindle cell lesion with notable myxoid change. There is only one case of myxoid leiomyoma of the ovary previously reported. We here report a case of ovarian leiomyoma with areas of myxoid stroma and discuss the relevant differential diagnosis and histological features to be assessed in such a lesion.