World Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery, 2014, 4, 51-55
Published Online April 2014 in SciRes. http://www.scirp.org/journal/wjcs
http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/wjcs.2014.44009
How to cite this paper: Baram, A., Tayeb, Z.A. and Bakir, D.A. (2014) A Rare Retroperitoneal Mass: Leiomyosarcoma of the
Inferior Vena Cava. World Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery, 4, 51-55. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/wjcs.2014.44009
A Rare Retroperitoneal Mass:
Leiomyosarcoma of the
Inferior Vena Cava
Aram Baram
*
, Zirak Anwar Tayeb, Delan Ahmed Bakir
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine,
University of Sulaimani, François Mitterrand Street, Sulaymaniyah, 46001, Iraq
Email:
*
aram.baramm@gmail.com , dr.zirak@gmail.com , deelan_83@yahoo.com
Received 7 February 2014; revised 7 March 2014; accepted 15 March 2014
Copyright © 2014 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc.
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY).
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Abstract
Leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava (IVC) is a rare soft tissue tumor, mesenchymal in origin
that arises from smooth muscles of tunica media; it accounts for about 0.5% of all soft tissue sar-
comas, and it is the commonest vascular leiomyosarcoma. The tumor progression is slow, and it is
asymptomatic until advanced stage in which involvement of surrounding structures even when
the symptoms present are nonspecific. Presentation of Case: A 60 years old lady presented with
upper abdominal pain for 3 months duration. Past surgical history was significant for Hysterect-
omy 15 years ago. On examination: soft abdomen, palpable non pulsating right hypochondrial
mass. Ultrasound of the abdomen showed tumor of the head of pancreas. CT scan showed large
retroperitoneal tumor extending from the head of pancreas to IVC. Trans abdominal CT guided
FNAC showed retroperitoneal sarcoma while Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was proved to be Lei-
omyosarcoma of the IVC. Discussion: Leiomyosarcoma of inferior vena cava (IVC) is a rare soft tis-
sue tumor, mesenchymal in origin that arises from smooth muscles of tunica media; it accounts for
about 0.5% of all soft tissue sarcomas, and it is the commonest vascular leiomyosarcoma. The type
of surgical management is a matter of debate and includes resection alone, primary repair/cavop-
lasty, or replacement with a graft. Reconstruction of the IVC is not always required especially in
chronic occlusions. Conclusion: Despite all the advanced modalities, surgery remains the most ef-
fective method for treatment of Leiomyosarcoma.
Keywords
Ivc Leiomyosarcoma, Retroperitoneal Tumor, Resection
*
Corresponding author.