What is "leiomyosarcoma"

n. (context pathology English) A cancerous tumor of smooth muscle.

n. sarcoma of smooth muscle; occurs most often digestive tract or uterus or bladder or prostate

Leiomyosarcoma (Gr. "smooth muscle connective tissue tumor"), also referred to as LMS, is a malignant ( cancerous) smooth muscle tumor. It must not be confused with leiomyoma, which is a benign tumor originating from the same tissue. It is also important to note that leiomyosarcomas do not arise from leiomyomas.

Leiomyosarcoma is an extremely rare form of cancer, and accounts for 5–10% of soft tissue sarcomas, which are in themselves relatively rare. Leiomyosarcomas can be very unpredictable. They can remain dormant for long periods of time and recur after years. It is a resistant cancer, meaning generally not very responsive to chemotherapy or radiation. The best outcomes occur when it can be removed surgically with wide margins early, while small and still in situ.