Uterine Sarcoma, Gynecologic Oncology | Tampa General Hospital

Uterine Sarcoma 

This rare, aggressive type of uterine cancer forms in the muscular walls or supporting tissues of the uterus. 

Uterine sarcoma forms in the uterus, the hollow, pear-shaped organ in which a baby grows. Specifically, cancerous cells begin to grow and multiply in the tissues of the myometrium, which is the middle, muscular layer of the uterus. Uterine sarcoma is a rare form of uterine cancer.  

The types of uterine sarcoma are determined by the types of cells that become cancerous. Common categories include: 

  • Uterine leiomyosarcoma (LMS) 
  • Endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS)
  • Undifferentiated sarcoma 

Uterine Sarcoma Causes 

What causes uterine sarcoma is not known. However, certain factors can increase a woman’s risk for developing the condition.   

Risk factors for uterine sarcoma include: 

  • Having undergone hormone therapy for breast cancer 
  • Having received radiation therapy in the pelvis area 
  • Being a Black woman  
  • A mutation in the RB gene that causes retinoblastoma, a type of eye cancer

Uterine Sarcoma Symptoms  

The symptoms of uterine sarcoma can include: 

  • Abnormal bleeding from the vagina between periods or after menopause 
  • A lump or growth in the vagina
  • Pain in the abdomen 
  • Frequent urination  
  • Feeling full at all times

Diagnosing Uterine Sarcoma 

A gynecologist can typically diagnose a patient’s uterine sarcoma with: 

  • A physical exam  
  • A pelvic exam 
  • A detailed look at the patient’s medical history  
  • A pelvic or transvaginal ultrasound 
  • A hysterosonogram  
  • A biopsy or hysteroscopy 
  • Dilation and curettage (D&C) 
  • Lab tests

Treatments for Uterine Sarcoma 

At Tampa General Hospital’s Cancer Institute, our gynecologic oncologists and multidisciplinary team treat uterine sarcoma in a personalized way, taking a patient’s cancer stage, overall health and preferences into account. 

Treatment options may include a combination of: 

  • Radiation therapy 
  • Hormone therapy 
  • Chemotherapy, including hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) 
  • Surgery to remove the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries 

In addition, uterine sarcoma patients treated at TGH may be eligible for clinical trials and have access to new treatments.