Occult uterine sarcomas in one in 1,124 hysterectomies

(HealthDay)—Among patients undergoing surgery for benign gynecologic indications, the rate of occult uterine sarcoma is one in 1,124, according to a study published in the March issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Kimberly A. Kho, M.D., M.P.H., from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, and colleagues examined the frequency of unsuspected sarcoma identified postoperatively in women undergoing hysterectomy for benign gynecologic indications. Data were included for 10,119 hysterectomies for benign gynecologic indications, performed from 2000 to 2014.

The researchers found that nine of the patients had uterine sarcoma, with an overall rate of one in 1,124. The nine malignancies included five leiomyosarcomas, two endometrial stromal sarcomas, and two uterine adenosarcomas. Among the women found to have an occult sarcoma, hysterectomy was performed as a primary indication for abnormal bleeding and leiomyomas in 77.8 and 22.2 percent of cases, respectively. Six total abdominal hysterectomies were performed, as well as two total vaginal hysterectomies and one supracervical hysterectomy. In one case, manual morcellation was required during abdominal hysterectomy. None of the cases required power morcellation.

"The frequency is lower than the rate derived in earlier reports and by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in their pooled analysis," the authors write.

Two authors disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical and medical device industries.