Increased hyaluronan and CD44 expressions in intravenous leiomyomatosis

Analysis of risk factors for post-operative recurrence or progression of intravenous leiomyomatosis

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the risk factors for post-operative recurrence or progression of intravenous leiomyomatosis and explore the impact of different treatment strategies on patient prognosis.

METHODS

Patients with intravenous leiomyomatosis who underwent surgery from January 2011 to December 2020 and who were followed for ≥3 months were included. The primary endpoint was recurrence (for patients with complete resection) or progression (for patients with incomplete resection). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to analyse the factors affecting recurrence.

RESULTS

A total of 114 patients were included. The median age was 45 years old (range 24-58). The tumors were confined to the uterus and para-uterine vessels in 48 cases (42.1%), while in 66 cases (57.9%) it involved large vessels (iliac vein or genital vein and/or proximal large veins). The median follow-up time was 24 months (range 3-132). Twenty-nine patients (25.4%) had recurrence or progression. The median recurrence or progression time was 16 months (range 3-60). Incomplete tumor resection (p=0.019), involvement of the iliac vein or genital vein (p=0.042), involvement of the inferior vena cava (p=0.025), and size of the pelvic tumor ≥15 cm (p=0.034) were risk factors for recurrence and progression. For intravenous leiomyomatosis confined to the uterus or para-uterine vessels, no post-operative recurrence after hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy occurred in this cohort. Compared with hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy, the risk of recurrence after tumorectomy (with the uterus and ovaries retained) was significantly greater (p=0.009), while the risk of recurrence after hysterectomy was not significantly increased (p=0.058). For intravenous leiomyomatosis involving the iliac vein/genital vein and the proximal veins, post-operative aromatase inhibitor treatment (p=0.89) and two-stage surgery (p=0.86) were not related to recurrence in patients with complete tumor resection.

CONCLUSION

Incomplete tumor resection, extent of tumor lesions and size of the pelvic tumor were risk factors for post-operative recurrence and progression of intravenous leiomyomatosis.

Surgical strategy for intravenous leiomyomatosis spreading from uterine to the right atrium presenting with recurrent syncope

Uterine leiomyoma invading internal iliac vein and consequently disseminating into the right atrium is an extremely rare condition, and surgical strategy is controversial. Here, we reported a specific case with successful surgical resection through one-stage total hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, and the intracardiovascular lesion. This procedure would be an optimal choice for uterine leiomyoma invading inferior vena cava and spreading to right atrium.

Intravenous leiomyomatosis involved cor dextrum: A review of diagnosis and management with an illustrative case

Intravenous leiomyomatosis (IVL) is a benign disease that originates in the uterus and is characterized by aggressive intravenous growth that can extend to the inferior vena cava and even involve the intracardiac cavity. This extension of the IVL into the right heart is known as intracardiac leiomyomatosis (ICL). The clinical incidence of this disease is extremely low, and the characteristics of atypical aggressive growth lead to diagnostic dilemmas. Thus, studies on this disease have profound clinical significance. Here, we report a case of intracardiac leiomyomatosis and review the relevant literature. A 46-year-old female patient presented with exertive chest tightness and shortness of breath with an onset of approximately half a month. The patient underwent uterine myomectomy in 2018 and recovered well after surgery. On preoperative echocardiography, a hypoechoic mass was detected in the right atrium, which was diagnosed as a leiomyoma. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a T2-weighted mixed high-signal mass with partial cystic changes that extended from the inferior vena cava into the right atrioventricular cavity, occupying most of the atrial cavity and was misdiagnosed as an atrial mucinous tumor. The patient underwent cardiac tumor resection, tricuspid valvuloplasty, and lower-extremity vascular exploration under general anesthesia with extracorporeal circulation. The final pathological diagnosis was ICL. This is an illustrative analysis of various aspects of the disease, including pathology, etiology, clinical symptoms, imaging diagnosis, and treatment modalities.

Update on clinical characteristics and molecular insights for uterine intravenous leiomyomatosis (Review)

Intravenous leiomyomatosis (IVL) is a rare benign disease, which typically develops along vascular vessels and extends to the inferior vena cava and right atrium of the heart. In the early stages of the disease, the clinical manifestations and the results of imaging examinations are not uniform among patients. Thus, a high rate of misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis is common. When the tumor extends along the venous system to the pelvic floor vein or through the inferior vena cava involving the right atrium of the heart or the pulmonary artery, severe symptoms occur, such as ascites, dyspnea, heart failure and even sudden mortality. Improving the understanding of IVL to identify and evaluate this disease in its early stages is important. Complete tumor resection remains the primary treatment option for IVL. The recurrence rate of the disease varies depending on multiple factors, such as type of surgical procedure performed. Therefore, long-term follow-up is necessary for patients with IVL. The review of recent findings on the molecular and clinicopathological characterization of IVL is important to understand the pathogenesis of IVL. In the present study, the clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, differential diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of IVL are summarized in order to provide a single source of insightful information on IVL.

Intravenous leiomyomatosis of the uterus: Preoperative and intraoperative assessment

OBJECTIVE

To assess factors influencing preoperative diagnosis and hemorrhage during surgery with uterine intravenous leiomyomatosis.

METHODS

This retrospective single-institution study used univariate analysis and multivariate models to investigate potential factors contributing to preoperative diagnosis and hemorrhage during surgery associated with intravenous leiomyomatosis in 135 patients from January 2012 to April 2022. Risk factors for disease recurrence were also investigated. The SPSS statistical analysis package was used for data analysis.

RESULTS

Previous myomectomy or fibroid ablation and tumor location on color Doppler were related to preoperative diagnosis (P = 0.031 and P = 0.003, respectively). Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that lesions extending to the broad ligament were the only factors affecting preoperative diagnosis (odds ratio [OR] 5.383, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.49-19.47). Univariate analysis showed that previous myomectomy or fibroid ablation (P = 0.017), tumor location (P = 0.027), and parauterine involvement (P = 0.014) were associated with intraoperative hemorrhage. Parauterine involvement was an independent risk factor for increased bleeding (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.14-3.92). Six patients (4.4%) relapsed. The present study demonstrated that age (P = 0.031) and surgical type (P < 0.001) might be associated with disease recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment emphasis should focus on lesions extending to the broad ligament. Intraoperative bleeding associated with parauterine involvement should be stopped as effectively as possible.

Clinical features and prognostic factors analysis of intravenous leiomyomatosis

Background

The treatment and prognostic factors of intravenous leiomyomatosis (IVL) remain lacking systematic evidence.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted on IVL patients from the Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, and IVL cases were published in PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Library databases. Descriptive statistics were used for the basic characteristics of patients. The Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to assess the high-risk factors related to the progression-free survival (PFS). The comparison of survival curves was performed by Kaplan-Meier analysis.

Results

A total of 361 IVL patients were included in this study, 38 patients from Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, and 323 patients from the published literature. Age ≤45 years was observed in 173 (47.9%) patients. According to the clinical staging criteria, stage I/II was observed in 125 (34.6%) patients, and stage III/IV was observed in 221 (61.2%) patients. Dyspnea, orthopnea, and cough were observed in 108 (29.9%) patients. Completed tumor resection was observed in 216 (59.8%) patients, and uncompleted tumor resection was observed in 58 (16.1%) patients. Median follow-up period was 12 months (range 0-194 months), and 68 (18.8%) recurrences or deaths were identified. The adjusted multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis showed age ≤45 years (vs. >45) (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.15-3.80, p = 0.016), and uncompleted tumor resection (vs. completed tumor resection) (HR = 22.03, 95% CI 8.31-58.36, p < 0.001) were high-risk factors related to the PFS.

Conclusion

Patients with IVL have a high probability of recurrence after surgery and a poor prognosis. Patients younger than 45 years and with uncompleted tumor resection are at higher risk of postoperative recurrence or death.

Obesity alters ovarian folliculogenesis through disrupted angiogenesis from increased IL-10 production

Objective

Obesity has been reported to have a modulatory effect on the ovulatory functions of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. The role of adipokines in this obesity-associated ovulatory disturbance has not been extensively explored. In this study, the relationships between obesity, adipokine production from visceral fat, and ovarian folliculogenesis were explored in a mice model of induced obesity.

Methods

Obesity was induced in female C57BL/6 mice fed ad libitum with high-fat feed and fructose water for 4 weeks. Follicular developments in the ovaries were assessed by histopathology in these diet-induced obese mice. Changes in adipokine expression in the peri-ovarian adipose tissues were screened with an adipokine array. The adipokine with the most significant increase over time was identified. The functions of the adipokine in angiogenic processes were evaluated in a cell model of endothelial proliferation. The in vivo effects of neutralizing this adipokine using specific antibodies were assessed in the same obesity model.

Results

A high-fat and fructose diet induced an accumulation of early ovarian follicles and a reduction in mature follicles and corpus lutea. The number of microvessels in the early follicles also decreased. The adipokine protein array of the peri-ovarian adipose tissues identified a progressive increase in IL-10 expression with the duration of the obesogenic diet. In vitro experiments in the endothelial cell model confirmed IL-10 as a disrupter of VEGF-induced angiogenesis. Administration of anti-IL-10 antibodies prevented the histopathological changes induced by the obesogenic diet and further highlighted the role of IL-10 in disrupting folliculogenesis.

Conclusions

Obesity may disrupt normal folliculogenesis through increased production of IL-10 in visceral fats. This relationship may help clarify the reported association between obesity and ovulatory dysfunction, which has been found in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. However, the duration of this study was short, which limited conclusions on the long-term reproductive outcomes.

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Obesity increases IL-10 expression in visceral adipose.

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IL-10 disrupts VEGF-induced angiogenesis in an endothelial cell model.

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Disrupted angiogenesis is associated with disturbed folliculogenesis.

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Anti-IL-10 antibody prevents the altered folliculogenesis induced by obesity.

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Abnormal production of IL-10 may be a cause of dysovulation in obese individuals.

The role of CD44 in pathological angiogenesis

Angiogenesis is required for normal development and occurs as a pathological step in a variety of disease settings, such as cancer, ocular diseases, and ischemia. Recent studies have revealed the role of CD44, a widely expressed cell surface adhesion molecule, in promoting pathological angiogenesis and the development of its associated diseases through its regulation of diverse function of endothelial cells, such as proliferation, migration, adhesion, invasion, and communication with the microenvironment. Conversely, the absence of CD44 expression or inhibition of its function impairs pathological angiogenesis and disease progression. Here, we summarize the current understanding of the roles of CD44 in pathological angiogenesis and the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms.

Experience in the diagnosis and treatment of intravenous leiomyomatosis involving the inferior vena cava and/or right cardiac chambers

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to summarize our experience with the diagnosis and treatment of intravenous leiomyomatosis (IVL) involving the inferior vena cava (IVC) or right cardiac chambers.

METHODS

This study retrospectively analyzed clinical data from 10 patients diagnosed with IVL involving the IVC or right cardiac chambers between May 2009 and October 2019 at one medical center.

RESULTS

All patients were females aged 35 to 56 years (average, 46.8 years) with a history of uterine leiomyoma. Of these 10 patients, 8 manifested clinical symptoms and 2 were asymptomatic. Four were diagnosed with lesions involving the right cardiac chambers, four had lesions that extended into the suprahepatic IVC, and an additional two had lesions extending into the infrarenal IVC. All patients underwent surgery. Three of the four patients with extension into the right cardiac chambers underwent a two-stage operation, and an additional patient was managed with a one-stage operation. Patients who underwent a two-stage operation experienced less hemorrhaging and a shorter intensive care unit stay than the patient who underwent a one-stage operation. Six patients with intracaval extension alone underwent laparotomy, including four with a lesion extending into the suprahepatic IVC, under transesophageal echocardiography monitoring. Bilateral adnexectomy and ovariectomy were performed in seven patients, and unilateral adnexectomy and ovariectomy were performed in two patients; antiestrogen therapy was administered to two patients who retained a unilateral ovary and to one patient who retained bilateral ovaries. One patient suffered deep vein thrombosis in the left lower extremity after surgery that improved after treatment. All patients received conventional anticoagulant treatment postoperatively. All pathologic findings confirmed IVL, and the follow-up period ranged from 27 to 120 months (average, 57.5 months). Recurrence was not observed in the iliac vein or IVC, excluding one case of pelvic leiomyoma that recurred at one year postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

IVL should be highly suspected when an IVC mass occurs in a patient with a history of uterine leiomyoma. Surgery is the gold standard treatment for IVL; a two-stage operation is more beneficial for patient recovery if the lesion exhibits intracardiac involvement, and transesophageal echocardiography is a helpful tool to monitor safety during surgical procedure for patients with a lesion invading the IVC above the level of the renal vein.

Identification of the molecular relationship between intravenous leiomyomatosis and uterine myoma using RNA sequencing

The purpose of this study was to explore the potential relationship between intravenous leiomyomatosis (IVL) and uterine myoma (UM) at the molecular level. RNA-sequencing was performed on IVL tumours, UM tumours, and adjacent normal uterine muscle. We compared the gene expression levels between IVL and normal uterine muscle, UM and normal uterine muscle, to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Then we used Gene Ontology Enrichment Analysis to determine the functions of the DEGs and performed specimen cluster analysis. We obtained 98 DEGs between IVL and adjacent normal uterine muscle, and 61 DEGs between UM and adjacent normal uterine muscle. Functional enrichment of both IVL and UM DEGs showed that they are associated with hormone stimulus, extracellular matrix, and cell adhesion. Unsupervised clustering analysis showed that IVL and UM could not be separated completely. Among these dysregulated genes, we found that HOXA13 showed a distinct dysregulated status between IVL and UM. HOXA13 may therefore serves as a biomarker to distinguish IVL and UM. Our results showed that IVL and UM may have similar dysregulated gene networks. They may be closely related, and HOXA13 may serves as a biomarker to distinguish between IVL and UM.

Long-term outcomes of surgical treatment for intravascular leiomyomatosis

BACKGROUND

Intravascular leiomyomatosis (IVL) is relatively rare. The optimal surgical method and long-term outcomes are not completely understood.

METHODS

Medical records between 2007 and 2017 in our hospital were analyzed to identify IVL cases with surgical intervention. Their medical records, operative details, and follow-up were collected by chart review and telephone communication.

RESULTS

Eight patients with IVL were included in the study, accounting for 0.26% of all uterine leiomyoma cases. Primary IVL was confined to pelvic cavity in three patients, extended to the inferior vena cava (IVC) below renal vein in one, reached IVC and right atrium in three, and reached main pulmonary artery in one. One-stage operation was performed for seven patients. Cardiopulmonary bypass was done in four patients, and aortic cross-clamp and temporary circulatory arrest was performed in two patients. None of the four patients with intrapulmonary tumors received concomitant pulmonary tumor resection. There was no operative mortality and four morbidities, including ureter injury (2), bladder injury (1), and femoral vein thrombosis (1). During follow-up, two patients exhibited local recurrence of the tumor in the pelvis, and one patient had rapidly growing intrapulmonary tumor three months post-operatively. Intrapulmonary tumors in the other three patients remained stationary at 6, 84, and 120 months post-operatively.

CONCLUSION

One-stage operation to completely remove IVL is feasible and with good long-term outcomes, which is recommended if the patient can tolerate the operation. Concomitant intrapulmonary tumors can be followed up watchfully except when associated with pleural effusion or the pathology indicating trend of increasing malignancy.

Two Case Reports of Intravenous Leiomyomatosis with Hyaluronan Expression

Intravenous leiomyomatosis (IVL) is a rare benign neoplasm. Herein, we describe two cases of IVL at different levels of progression. The tumor in Case 1 was extensive, invading the right atrium after a hysterectomy for a uterine myoma. The tumor temporarily responded to hormonal treatment; however, tumor regrowth occurred. In contrast, the tumor in Case 2 extended only to the pelvic veins and was revealed preoperatively. Hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy were performed, resulting in the complete surgical resection of the tumor. In Case 2, no recurrence has been observed. Tumor samples were evaluated for hyaluronan expression using Alcian blue staining (with and without hyaluronidase digestion). The tumor in Case 1 stained strongly positive for hyaluronan while the tumor in Case 2 stained weakly positive for hyaluronan. In contrast, a large non-IVL uterine leiomyoma (control) stained negative for hyaluronan. These results suggest a relationship between tumor hyaluronan expression and IVL progression, similar to that in other cancers.

Clinical characteristics and prognostic features of intravenous leiomyomatosis with inferior vena cava or intracardiac extension

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore the clinical characteristics and prognostic features of intravenous leiomyomatosis (IVL) with inferior vena cava extension (IVCE) or intracardiac extension (ICE).

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted of the clinical data of 38 patients with pathologically diagnosed IVL with IVCE or ICE.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 44.05 ± 6.31 years. Twenty-two patients (57.9%) had a history of uterine leiomyoma. Nine patients (23.7%) had a history of IVL without IVCE or ICE. The most common symptoms were chest tightness (seven patients), lower limb swelling (five patients), palpitation (four patients), dizziness (two patients), and abdominal distention (two patients). Preoperative diagnoses were achieved in 28 patients (73.7%); 23 patients (60.5%) underwent one-stage surgery, whereas 15 (39.5%) underwent two-stage surgery. Eighteen patients (72%) received postoperative antiestrogen hormone therapy. Regular follow-up was available in 30 patients, with a median follow-up time of 12.0 months; 15 patients (50.0%) showed evidence of recurrence. Factors such as postoperative antiestrogen hormone therapy (9/20 compared with 6/10; P = .601), duration of postoperative hormonal therapy (10/15 in >6 months compared with 5/15 in ≤6 months; P = .862), and heart involvement (10/22 compared with 5/8; P = .669) were not significantly associated with recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

IVL with IVCE or ICE is a rare disease with nonspecific manifestations. Surgery is the primary treatment. The postoperative recurrence rate is high, and postoperative antiestrogen hormone therapy is not significantly correlated with recurrence.

Intravenous leiomyomatosis with inferior vena cava or intracardiac extension and concurrent bilateral multiple pulmonary nodules: A report of 2 cases

BACKGROUND

Intravenous leiomyomatosis is a special type of uterine leiomyoma and features formation and growth of benign leiomyoma tissue within vascular wall. Benign metastatic leiomyoma refers to benign leiomyoma metastasizing to extra-uterine sites, dominantly lung. Solitary or multiple small nodules in the lung can be seen in image scans.

METHODS

We report 2 cases of intravenous leiomyomatosis with inferior vena cava or intracardiac extension and concurrent multiple nodules in bilateral lungs.

RESULTS

Case 1 was a 40-year-old woman with a large mass in pelvic cavity, masses in heart chambers, and disseminates pulmonary nodules detected at preoperative image scans. Masses in pelvic cavity and heart were resected in a 2-stage surgery. Histology examination confirmed the diagnosis of intravenous leiomyomatosis. Pulmonary nodules stayed stable during follow-up. Case 2 was a 37-year-old woman with 3 times of uterine-related surgeries. A pelvic mass appeared again and filling defect was observed in left ovarian vein, right renal vein, right common iliac vein, and inferior vena cava. Tumors in pelvic cavity and within vessels were removed in a 1-stage surgery. Histology examination confirmed the diagnosis of intravenous leiomyomatosis. Pulmonary nodules remained stable during follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of benign metastatic leiomyoma in patients with intravenous leiomyomatosis might be relatively high. Metastasis of intravenous leiomyomatosis lesions was a possible source of benign metastatic leiomyoma in these cases.

Glycosaminoglycan distribution in the rat uterine cervix during the estrous cycle

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the amount of glycosaminoglycans in the uterine cervix during each phase of the rat estrous cycle.

DESIGN

Based on vaginal smears, forty female, regularly cycling rats were divided into four groups (n = 10 for each group): GI - proestrous, GII - estrous, GIII - metaestrous and GIV - diestrous. Animals were sacrificed at each phase of the cycle, and the cervix was immediately removed and submitted to biochemical extraction and determination of sulfated glycosaminoglycans and hyaluronic acid. The results were analyzed by ANOVA followed by the Bonferroni post-hoc test.

RESULTS

The uterine cervix had the highest amount of total sulfated glycosaminoglycans and dermatan sulfate during the estrous phase (8.90 +/- 0.55 mg/g of cetonic extract, p<0.001; and 8.86 +/- 0.57 mg/g of cetonic extract, p<0.001). In addition, there was more heparan sulfate at the cervix during the proestrous phase (0.185 +/- 0.03 mg/g of cetonic extract) than during any other phase (p<0.001). There were no significant changes in the concentration of hyaluronic acid in the uterine cervix during the estrous cycle.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that the amount of total sulfated glycosaminoglycans may be influenced by hormonal fluctuations related to the estrous cycle, with dermatan sulfate and heparan sulfate being the glycosaminoglycans most sensitive to hormonal change.

NK-cell intravascular lymphomatosis--a mini-review

The majority of cases of intravascular lymphomatosis (IVL) is derived from B cells. However, IVL may also arise from T cells, or more rarely NK cells. The clinicopathological findings in six cases of NK-cell IVL (NK-IVL), including one new case, were summarised and compared with B-cell IVL (B-IVL) and T-cell IVL (T-IVL). Earlier onset of disease and female predominance were found in NK-IVL. NK-IVL was typically Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive, whereas EBV was rarely detected in B-IVL. Cutaneous manifestations were common in NK-IVL with constant EBV infection. B-IVL showed a more favourable prognosis than T- or NK-IVL. Irrespective of immunophenotype, however, IVL showed a less favourable prognosis than ordinary lymphomas within the same immunophenotype. In summary, IVL of the B-, T- and NK-cell phenotypes is clinicopathologically distinct and shows similarities to their more common counterparts, i.e. diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, peripheral T-cell lymphoma, unspecified and extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type.