Leiomyosarcoma Dictionary

sarcoma: A cancer of the connective or supportive tissue (bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels) and soft tissue.

secondary leiomyosarcoma: Arises from primary retroperitoneal or uterine leiomyosarcoma and present as dermal and subcutaneous nodules on the scalp or back.

smooth muscle cells: Involuntary muscles, over which we have no control. Located throughout the body, smooth muscle cells are typically found in the blood vessel walls, uterus, stomach, intestines and skin.

soft tissue sarcoma: Soft tissues connect, support or surround other tissues. Examples include your muscles, tendons, fat and blood vessels. Soft tissue sarcoma is a cancer of these soft tissues. There are many kinds, based on the type of tissue they started in. Sometimes they spread and can press on nerves and organs, causing problems such as pain or trouble breathing.

spindle cell sarcoma: A cancerous tumor of the smooth muscle, where the cells are elongated, resembling a spindle.

• Stage IA: Spindle cell sarcoma near surface; diameter is less than 5 cm; has not spread; cells resemble or differ slightly from normal cells.
• Stage IB: Spindle cell sarcoma near surface; larger than 5 cm; has not spread; cells resemble or differ slightly from normal cells.
• Stage IIA: Spindle cell sarcoma deeper in the tissue; larger than 5 cm; cells resemble or differ slightly from normal cells.
• Stage IIB: The spindle cell sarcoma either near surface or deeper in the tissue; larger than 5 cm; has not spread; cells differ from normal cells.
• Stage IIC: Spindle cell sarcoma near surface; larger than 5 cm; has not spread; cells differ significantly from normal cells.
• Stage III: Spindle cell sarcoma deeper in the tissue; has not spread; larger than 5 cm; differ significantly from normal cells; prognosis is poor.
• Stage IV: Spindle cell sarcoma has spread; prognosis is extremely poor.