Definition

1. Noun:
   • A malignant tumor (sarcoma) that originates from smooth muscle cells. This type of cancer most commonly occurs in the walls of internal organs such as the digestive tract, uterus, bladder, or prostate.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma.
  • Leiomyosarcoma of the uterus can present with abnormal bleeding.
  • Treatment for leiomyosarcoma often involves surgery and radiation.

Advanced Usage

• The term is primarily used in medical and pathological contexts. It is often abbreviated as LMS in clinical notes and discussions among healthcare professionals.
  • The patient's history is significant for uterine LMS.

Variants and Related Words

• Sarcoma (n): A broad category of cancers that arise from connective tissues like bone, fat, muscle, or blood vessels. Leiomyosarcoma is a specific subtype.
• Leiomyoma (n): A benign (non-cancerous) tumor of smooth muscle. This is a related but distinctly different condition.
• Myosarcoma (n): A general term for a malignant tumor of muscle tissue.

Synonyms

• Malignant smooth muscle tumor: A descriptive synonym.
• LMS: The common medical abbreviation.

Notes on Meaning

• The word is a compound of Greek roots: (smooth), (muscle), and (fleshy growth/cancer). It precisely denotes the tumor's cellular origin.
• It is distinct from other sarcomas that arise from skeletal muscle (rhabdomyosarcoma) or other connective tissues.

Noun

1. sarcoma of smooth muscle; occurs most often digestive tract or uterus or bladder or prostate