Leiomyosarcoma of the renal vein: arterial encasement on contrast-enhanced dynamic computed tomography

[LEIOMYOSARCOMA ARISING FROM THE RENAL VEIN]

A 47-year-old female presented to a clinic complaining of right back pain. A CT scan revealed a right retroperitoneal mass and she was referred to our department for further evaluation. Contrast-enhanced CT and MRI revealed a right retroperitoneal mass (6 cm) in the hilum of the right kidney that invaded the right renal vein and inferior vena cava (IVC). Suspecting a tumor arising from retroperitoneal tissues involving the right renal vein and IVC, the decision was made to excise the tumor with the right kidney, renal vein, and a portion of the IVC. The histologic findings indicated that the tumor was a leiomyosarcoma originating from the renal vein wall. The tumor cells were spindle-shaped and stained positive for desmin, caldesmon and HHF35. The post-operative course was uneventful and she was recurrence-free 20 months after surgery. In addition to presenting a case of a leiomyosarcoma of the renal vein, a short review of the literature is provided.

Leiomyosarcoma of Renal Vein - A Rare Case Report

Leiomyosarcomas (LMS) arising from vascular channel are rare and more often arise from inferior vena cava and pulmonary arteries. Primary renal vein LMS are even rarer and occur predominantly in females with peak in fifth and sixth decade. Preoperative diagnosis is difficult because these are rare tumours and present with symptoms and radiological findings similar to Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC). We report a case of 55-year-old female who presented with abdominal discomfort with radiology showing a renal mass with features of RCC, radical nephrectomy was done and resected tumour showed an attachment to the wall of renal vein with morphology resembling LMS.

Leiomyosarcoma of the renal vein: analysis of outcome and prognostic factors in the world case series of 67 patients

BACKGROUND

Leiomyosarcoma is a rare malignant mesenchymal tumour. Some cases of leiomyosarcoma of the renal vein (LRV) have been reported in the literature, but no analysis of data and search for prognostic factors have been done so far. The aim of this review was to describe the LRV, to analyse overall survival (OS), local recurrence free survival (LRFS) and distant metastases free survival (DMFS) in LRV world case series and to identify significant predictors of OS, LRFS and DMFS.

METHODS

Cases from the literature based on PubMed search and a case from our institution were included.

RESULTS

Sixty-seven patients with a mean age of 56.6 years were identified; 76.1% were women. Mean tumour size was 8.9 cm; in 68.7% located on the left side. Tumour thrombus extended into the inferior vena cava lumen in 13.4%. All patients but one underwent surgery (98.5%). After a median follow up of 24 months, the OS was 79.5%. LRFS was 83.5% after a median follow up of 21.5 months and DMFS was 76.1% after a median follow up of 22 months. Factors predictive of OS in univariate analysis were surgical margins, while factors predictive of LRFS were inferior vena cava luminal extension and grade. No factors predictive of DMFS were identified. In multivariate analysis none of the factors were predictive of OS, LRFS and DMFS.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the literature review and presented case some conclusions can be made. LRV is usually located in the hilum of the kidney. It should be considered in differential diagnosis of renal and retroperitoneal masses, particularly in women over the age 40, on the left side and in the absence of haematuria. Core needle biopsy should be performed. Patients should be managed by sarcoma multidisciplinary team. LRV should be surgically removed, with negative margins.

Renal vein leiomyosarcoma and renal cell carcinoma presenting together: A case report and discussion on the follow-up

Leiomyosarcoma affecting the renal vein is rare, with about 30 documented cases in the English literature. The appearance on computed tomography can be difficult to interpret and is often confused with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). This confusion can have implications on the perioperative care of patients presenting with this disease. We report a case with an usual radiological appearance of a renal vein leiomyosarcoma, alongside a separate RCC. This case highlights the need for a high index of suspicion in radiological reporting and provides a dilemma in regards to postoperative surveillance.

Renal vein leiomyosarcoma: imaging and clinical features of a renal cell carcinoma mimic

Renal vein leiomyosarcoma is a rare tumor whose clinical and imaging features can significantly overlap with those of advanced primary renal neoplasms, particularly renal cell carcinoma. IRB approval was obtained for a retrospective review of clinical and imaging information for five patients with the pathologically proven diagnosis of renal vein leiomyosarcoma at two institutions. Among the five patients, two were female and three male; average age 58.6 (range 42-77). Three patients presented with flank or abdominal pain, one with pulmonary embolism, and one with weight loss and fatigue. Mass size ranged from 4 to 10 cm. Four masses were left-sided and one right-sided. Tumors involved and expanded the renal vein in all cases, with tumor extension to the renal hilum in one case, through the renal hilum into renal parenchyma in two cases, and into inferior vena cava in two cases. All masses demonstrated contrast enhancement, which was solely peripheral in one case. In all cases, extrarenal tumor volume was greater than renal parenchymal tumor volume. When renal masses are predominantly or exclusively intravascular, consideration should be given to the diagnosis of renal vein leiomyosarcoma because preoperative biopsy results could significantly alter management.

Non-vena cava venous leiomyosarcomas: a review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is a rare malignant tumor of smooth muscle origin that generally stems from soft tissues and uterine tissue. However, a small percentage of this sarcoma subset may originate from the smooth muscle of vessel walls, most of which are of venous origin. Although the vena cava (VC) serves as the most likely source for these tumors and has been well described in the literature, there is limited information focused on non-VC LMS derived from large veins. The focus of this study was to consolidate the reports and previously published data of all non-VC LMS of venous origin to better characterize and describe this disease process.

METHODS

We reviewed information derived from 143 previously published cases.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

It was determined that women aged 60-69 years were most commonly diagnosed with this particular type of tumor, with the most common tumor site being the renal vein. Metastasis was present in 12% of this population at the time of diagnosis, and 32% of patients were alive 4 years later.

Leiomyosarcoma of the renal vein

A 43-year-old woman was referred to our clinic for evaluation of a left retroperitoneal mass. She presented to our internal medicine department complaining of back pain. Computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a left retroperitoneal mass 55 mm in size in the hilum of the left kidney. Enhanced CT scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) disclosed a poorly staining mass. Metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy demonstrated no accumulation in the mass; moreover, endocrinologic examination was normal. Laparoscopic resection of the left retroperitoneal tumor was attempted; however, strong adhesion between the tumor and the left renal vein was encountered. Thus, left nephrectomy after open conversion was performed. Histological findings indicated leiomyosarcoma originating from the left renal vein. The postoperative course has been uneventful; neither recurrence nor metastasis is evident 2 years postsurgery.