On 6/1, Associate Professor, Doctor Pham Cam Phuong, Director of the Center for Nuclear Medicine and Oncology, Bach Mai Hospital, stated that the patient was admitted to the hospital conscious and in normal general health, apart from persistent abdominal pain. The patient had no history of chronic illness, and there was no family history of cancer.

Results from an ultrasound and biopsy of a left liver tumor confirmed the patient had primary hepatic leiomyosarcoma. This is an extremely rare form of malignant tumor originating from smooth muscle cells. Globally, medical literature has only recorded about 70 cases of this disease.

Immediately following the diagnosis, doctors surgically removed the tumor and prescribed combined chemotherapy for the patient.

Illustration: Nshealth

According to Doctor Phuong, primary hepatic leiomyosarcoma accounts for a very small percentage, only 0,2-2%, of all primary liver cancers. Most malignant leiomyosarcomas in the liver are typically due to metastasis from the gastrointestinal tract, uterus, lungs, or retroperitoneum. Therefore, doctors must carefully differentiate the diagnosis to determine the tumor's origin.

This disease carries a poor prognosis with high invasiveness and metastatic potential. The biggest challenge lies in early diagnosis because clinical symptoms are often vague and non-specific. Tumors typically develop silently, causing noticeable symptoms only when they reach a large size.

Regarding treatment, radical surgical resection is the primary method, which may be combined with adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy. However, Doctor Phuong noted that due to the rarity of the disease, medical data on the effectiveness of current treatment regimens is limited, requiring more in-depth research.

The public is advised to maintain regular health check-ups and cancer screenings for early detection of abnormalities, increasing the chances of successful treatment.

Thuy An