Uterine sarcomas in Port Harcourt, Nigeria: a 12-year clinico-pathologic study.

BACKGROUND Uterine sarcomas are rare gynecological malignancies with a high mortality. There is the need to determine its frequency, clinical presentation and histologic variants. This may form the basis for further research and management in order to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with it. DESIGN A 12-year hospital based retrospective clinico-pathological study. SETTING University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Port Harcourt, Nigeria. SUBJECT Women with histologically diagnosed uterine sarcomas. METHOD Previously prepared histologic slides were retrieved and reviewed to confirm the diagnosis and to ascertain the histological type of the uterine sarcoma. Clinical data such as the age and the mode of presentation were extracted from the case notes, histology request forms and reports. RESULTS Eleven histological reports satisfied the criteria for the study which accounted for 0.5% and 4% of total malignancies and gynaecologic malignancies respectively in UPTH during the period under review. Malignant mixed mesodermal tumors was the most common (36.4%). The highest frequency of the tumors occurred in the age group 50-59 years (45.5%) and abnormal vaginal bleeding was the most common clinical presentation (36.4%). CONCLUSION Uterine Sarcomas are rare world wide; most common above the age of 50 years, with variable clinical presentations and associated with high morbidity and mortality rate.