Leiomyomas are benign soft tissue neoplasms that arise from smooth muscles. Leiomyosarcoma is a malignant lesion of smooth muscle origin. This is a rare lesion in the uterus with 1-2 % of its benign counterpart, leiomyoma, transforming into the lesion. It is often aggressive and could develop at any site where the smooth muscle is found. We present a case of a 48-year-old farmer with pelvic mass with Ultra-sonography(USS) suggestive of leiomyoma. Hysterectomy was done and histologic diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma (LMS) was made. The patient was discharged 7 days post operation but was lost to follow up. Uterine LMS is an aggressive tumour, therefore, a high index of suspicion is needed especially for huge uterine nodules and such patients must be closely monitored for adequate management.
Recently, cancer progression has been linked to a trans-membrane receptor, neuropilin. Studies show that neuropilins are widely distributed in the body and these receptors appear to control the vasculirization of tumors. Neuropilins 1 and 2 are known to be involved in angiogenesis and vascular development and are receptors for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the class 3 semaphorins. Angiogenesis, which is a feature of many malignancies, is aided by increased neuropilin expression. Hence, high neuropilin expression correlates with tumor progression and poor prognosis. Attempts are being made to suppress tumor growth and invasion by employing agents that suppress angiogenesis. This is of great interest, because blockade or inhibition of these molecules may be used as therapeutic agents in cancer therapy. In this review, the molecular biology and current knowledge of neuropilins are explored with a view to identifying their therapeutic potentials. In conclusion, neuropilin targeted intervention may be relevant as anti-cancer therapy.
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