What is Leiomyosarcoma?

Leiomyosarcoma is one of the forms of a very rare and aggressive cancer called Sarcoma.

A sarcoma is a cancer of the connective or supportive tissues of the body. These tissues include bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, and blood vessels. The word sarcoma comes from the Greek word meaning 'fleshy growth'.

Sarcomas can invade surrounding tissue and can metastasize (spread) to other organs of the body, forming secondary tumors. The cells of secondary tumors are similar to those of the primary (original) cancer. Secondary tumors are referred to as "metastatic (mets)" These mets are part of the original cancer and are not a new disease.

Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is a type of sarcoma cancer. Leiomyosarcomas are malignant tumors which develop from smooth muscle tissue. Smooth muscle cells make up the involuntary muscles in our body. Involuntary muscles are those which we do not move consciously with our brain. Involuntary muscles are found in most parts of the body: in uterus, lungs, liver, stomach and intestines, walls of all blood vessels, and skin.