Leiomyosarcoma risk factors

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Nima Nasiri, M.D.[2]

Overview[edit | edit source]

Studies had shown that soft tissue sarcomas such as leiomyosarcoma is associated with risk factors such as radiation exposure, genetic abnormalities, use of tamoxifen, certain hereditary conditions, immunodeficiency and viral infection such as human herpes virus type-8.

Risk Factors[edit | edit source]

• Age: leiomyosarcoma can be seen at 20 years of age but mean age at diagnosis is 50-60 years old.
• Losses of the normal chromosome 1q observed in leiomyoma and leiomyosarcoma tumors which is associated with hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell cancer (HLRCC) gene, likely a type of tumor suppressor gene. ^[1]
• Children with immunodeficiency had increased risk in developing leiomyosarcoma.^[2]
• Recent studies shown that exposure to dioxin increase the risk of soft tissue sarcoma.^[3]
• Viral infections such as human herpes virus type-8 (HHV-8) and Epstein barr virus is linked to increase risk of sarcomas.^[4]
• Long term use of the tamoxifen: prolonged use of the tamoxifen especially more than five years has been associated with the increased risk of development of leiomyosarcoma.^[5]
• History of pelvic radiations: pelvic irradiation has been associated with the increased development of the leiomyosarcoma.^[6][7]
• Certain hereditary condition like hereditary breast carcinoma with BRCA1 mutation,hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal carcinoma with MSH2 mutation, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, malignant melanoma are associated with the development of leiomyosarcoma.^[8]
• Long term survivors of the Retinoblastoma are at higher risk of developing variety of soft tissue sarcoma.^[9]

References[edit | edit source]

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