Leiomyosarcoma is one of the forms of a very rare and aggressive cancer called Sarcoma. Georgia has Uterine Leiomyosarcoma (ULMS).
A sarcoma is a cancer of the connective or supportive tissues of the body. These tissues include bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, and blood vessels. The word sarcoma comes from the Greek word meaning 'fleshy growth'.
Sarcomas can invade surrounding tissue and can metastasize (spread) to other organs of the body, forming secondary tumors. The cells of secondary tumors are similar to those of the primary (original) cancer. Secondary tumors are referred to as "metastatic (mets)" These mets are part of the original cancer and are not a new disease. Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is a type of sarcoma cancer. Leiomyosarcomas are malignant tumors which develop from smooth muscle tissue. Smooth muscle cells make up the involuntary muscles in our body. Involuntary muscles are those which we do not move consciously with our brain. Involuntary muscles are found in most parts of the body: in uterus, lungs, liver, stomach and intestines, walls of all blood vessels, and skin.
The exact causes of Leiomyosarcoma are not known, but studies have indicated that there are genetic and environmental risk factors associated with it. Certain inherited conditions that run in families could possibly increase the risk of developing Leiomyosarcoma. High-dose radiation exposure, such as radiotherapy used to treat other types of cancer, has also been linked to Leiomyosarcoma and it is possible that exposure to certain chemical herbicides might increase the risk of developing this disease, but a direct association has not been proven.
Most patients with Leiomyosarcoma choose to be cared for by a multidisciplinary team of health professionals. Many local oncologists rarely see more than one or two cases of Leiomyosarcoma in their entire career.
A sarcoma is a cancer of the connective or supportive tissues of the body. These tissues include bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, and blood vessels. The word sarcoma comes from the Greek word meaning 'fleshy growth'.
Sarcomas can invade surrounding tissue and can metastasize (spread) to other organs of the body, forming secondary tumors. The cells of secondary tumors are similar to those of the primary (original) cancer. Secondary tumors are referred to as "metastatic (mets)" These mets are part of the original cancer and are not a new disease. Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is a type of sarcoma cancer. Leiomyosarcomas are malignant tumors which develop from smooth muscle tissue. Smooth muscle cells make up the involuntary muscles in our body. Involuntary muscles are those which we do not move consciously with our brain. Involuntary muscles are found in most parts of the body: in uterus, lungs, liver, stomach and intestines, walls of all blood vessels, and skin.
The exact causes of Leiomyosarcoma are not known, but studies have indicated that there are genetic and environmental risk factors associated with it. Certain inherited conditions that run in families could possibly increase the risk of developing Leiomyosarcoma. High-dose radiation exposure, such as radiotherapy used to treat other types of cancer, has also been linked to Leiomyosarcoma and it is possible that exposure to certain chemical herbicides might increase the risk of developing this disease, but a direct association has not been proven.
Most patients with Leiomyosarcoma choose to be cared for by a multidisciplinary team of health professionals. Many local oncologists rarely see more than one or two cases of Leiomyosarcoma in their entire career.
Hope you enjoyed the lesson (can't resist a bit of teaching ....)
Cheers,
Georgia
Wow Georgia, thanks for all that info. You sound very medical & professional.
ReplyDeleteRach
Hey Georgia-wow a whole new vocab!!. The blog will be a good way to touch base with you and follow your journey. Good luck for the start of chemo this week-we will be thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteCheers Shaz xxx
Thanks Georgia for this info - and for this Blog. I didnt realise how rare LMS is. You're such a teacher......thinking of you, Wendy x
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