Article Text
Abstract
Introduction Benign uterine leiomyoma (U.LMA) and malignant uterine leiomyosarcoma (U.LMS), which are both uterine mesenchymal tumors, are distinguished by the number of cells with mitotic activity. However, uterine mesenchymal tumors contain tumor cells with various cell morphologies; therefore, making a diagnosis, including differentiation between benign tumors and malignant tumors, is difficult. For example, cotyledonary dissecting leiomyoma (CDL) or uterine smooth muscle tumors of uncertain malignant potential (STUMPs), etc. are a group of uterine mesenchymal tumors for which performing a differential diagnosis is challenging. A standardized classification system for uterine mesenchymal tumors has not yet been established. Furthermore, definitive preoperative imaging techniques or hematological examinations for the potential inclusion of CDL or STUMP in the differential diagnosis have not been defined.
Methods We have been carrying out multicenter clinical research to establish life prognostic markers for uterine mesenchymal tumors.
Results Our clinical research showed that there is correlation between biomarker expression and mitotic rate or tumor recurrence. The candidate factors of immunohistochemical biomarkers can effectively help determine the malignant potential of CDL or STUMPs in patients who wish to become pregnant in the future.
Conclusion/Implications The establishment of gene expression profiles or detection of pathogenic variants by employing next-generation molecular techniques can aid in disease prediction, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Here, we describe the problems in diagnosing uterine mesenchymal tumors along with the results of the latest our clinical research.