Primary leiomyosarcoma of the adrenal gland

• Published in: Sarcoma Vol. 5; no. 2; pp. 95 - 99
• Main Authors: Etten, B, van Ijken, M G, Mooi, W J, Oudkerk, M, van Geel, A N
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Egypt Hindawi Publishing Corporation 2001; Hindawi Limited
• ISSN: 1357-714X; 1369-1643
• DOI: 10.1155/s1357714x01000184

We report a rare case of a primary leiomyosarcoma of the adrenal gland. A 73-year-old woman presented with an inferior vena cava syndrome. MR imaging was suggestive of a large tumour originating from the right adrenal gland. Angiography revealed a tumour vascularised by the right adrenal artery. At explorative laparotomy a tumour of 27 cm in diameter was found which was completely fixed to the liver; the tumour was therefore considered unresectable. As a consequence of the mechanical problems caused by this large tumour, the patient died 3 weeks after the operation. Autopsy revealed no distant metastases or other primary tumour site.