Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma in a Young, Nulliparous Woman: A Case Report

Abstract

Endometrial stromal tumours are tumours of endometrial stromal origin and are classified into Endometrial Stromal Nodule (ESN), Low-Grade Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma (LG-ESS), and High-Grade Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma (HG-ESS). LG-ESS and HGESS are rare tumours, accounting for 1% of uterine malignancies and 10% of uterine sarcomas. These tumours commonly occur in perimenopausal women between the ages of 45 and 50 years. Their incidence is rare in younger women. Endometrial stromal tumours are usually confused with leiomyoma, uterine Leiomyosarcoma (LMS), or other sarcomas. The authors here present a case report of a 28-year-old nulligravid patient who presented with a history of heavy menstrual bleeding and dysmenorrhea for a duration of six months. Ultrasonography of the abdomen and pelvis suggested fibroid with degenerative changes, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) indicated leiomyoma variants such as: i) Stromal Tumours of Uncertain Malignant Potential (STUMP)/ atypical/cellular leiomyoma; ii) myxoid degeneration of leiomyoma. To arrive at a definitive diagnosis, myomectomy was performed considering the woman’s young age and nulliparity. Histopathology allowed for a differential diagnosis of LG-ESS, LMS, and cellular leiomyoma. Consequently, the patient underwent total abdominal hysterectomy with left salphingo opherectomy, right salpingectomy, and preservation of the right ovary. The definitive diagnosis is made by histopathological examination coupled with immunohistochemistry of the hysterectomy specimen. Hysterectomy is the definitive treatment of LG-ESS considering their ability to infiltrate and become malignant.

Keywords

• uterine malignancy
• leiomyosarcoma
• low grade