Leiomyosarcoma medical therapy

Leiomyosarcoma Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Leiomyosarcoma from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Chest X Ray
CT
MRI
Ultrasound
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Leiomyosarcoma medical therapy On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Leiomyosarcoma medical therapy All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Leiomyosarcoma medical therapy
CDC on Leiomyosarcoma medical therapy
Leiomyosarcoma medical therapy in the news
Blogs on Leiomyosarcoma medical therapy
Directions to Hospitals Treating Leiomyosarcoma
Risk calculators and risk factors for Leiomyosarcoma medical therapy

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Rekha, M.D.

Overview

Leiomyosarcoma treatment consist of multidisciplinary approach and is best carried out at the specialized hospital setting.Patients with leiomyosarcoma have many treatment options. The selection depends on the stage of the tumor. The options are surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these methods. Before treatment starts, ask your health care team about possible side effects and how treatment may change your normal activities. Because cancer treatments often damage healthy cells and tissues, side effects are common. Side effects may not be the same for each person, and they may change from one treatment session to the next.Non surgical treatment options have shown only limited benefit in the treatment of the Leiomyosarcoma and are generally considered to be less responsive of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.It has generally noted that only 40% cases responds to the chemotherapeutic regimens.

Chemotherapy

• Chemotherapy: For individuals, particularly those who have locally advanced, metastatic, or recurrent disease, chemotherapy may also be recommended, possibly in combination with surgical procedures and/or radiation.The treatment is to use drugs to stop the growth of cancer cells either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Usual drugs include ifosfamide and doxorubicin (Adriamycin). Surgical resection of localized disease is a well‐established therapeutic strategy 9. In the event tumors have metastasized, hormonal therapy 10 and cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents such as gemcitabine 11, docetaxel 12, 13, anthracyclines 14, 15, ifosfamide 16, temozolomide 17, trabectedin 18, 19, eribulin 20, 21, and many other cytotoxic agents provide modest antitumor activity 22. In contrast, novel targeted therapeutic agents have not widely used for the treatment of advanced LMS.

Radiation Therapy

• Radiation therapy: This is a cancer treatment to kill cancer cells or keep them from growing by using high-energy x-rays or other types of radiation.Radiotherapy may be a useful adjunct to improve local control or where a cancer is inoperable due to the specific location or possible progression of the malignancy.It can be used postoperative to help treat known or possible residual disease.Radiation therapy can also be used as a palliative care in cases where extensive metastasis has already occurred.Pelvic radiotherapy Adjuvant pelvic radiotherapy has been shown by some to improve disease-free survival rates. Echt et al. 2 reported a 38% disease-free survival rate in women receiving adjuvant radiotherapy compared with 18% in women receiving surgery alone. However, despite the possible benefit in reducing local recurrence rates, there has not been a proven significant impact on overall survival. 7 In addition, as leiomyosarcomas tend to recur outside the pelvis, this further limits any potential advantages of regionally directed radiotherapy

Palliative treatment

• Palliative treatment: This treatment is used for the patients whose cancer has spread. It may improve the patient's quality of life by controlling the symptoms and complications of this disease.