Adenosarcoma (also Mullerian Adenosarcoma) is a rare malignant tumor that occurs in women of all age groups, but most commonly post-menopause. Adenosarcoma arises from mesenchymal tissue and has a mixture of the tumoral components of an adenoma, a tumor of epithelial origin, and a sarcoma, a tumor originating from connective tissue. The adenoma, or epithelial component of the tumor, is benign, while the sarcomatous stroma is malignant. The most common site of adenosarcoma formation is the uterus, but it can also occur in the cervix and ovaries. It more rarely arises in the vagina and fallopian tubes as well as primary pelvic or peritoneal sites, such as the omentum, especially in those with a history of endometriosis. The rare cases of adenosarcoma outside the female genital tract usually occur in the liver, bladder, kidney, as well as the intestine and are typically associated with endometriosis.

Mullerian adenosarcoma with sarcomatous overgrowth is a very aggressive form of adenosarcoma that is characterized by post-operative recurrence and metastases even when diagnosed at an early stage. Sarcomatous overgrowth is diagnosed when the sarcomatous portion of the adenosarcoma makes up more than 25% of the tumor. Adenosarcomas do not typically have distant metastases, but they have a propensity for local recurrence.

Uterine Adenosarcoma

Uterine adenosarcoma are a subtype of uterine sarcomas. Uterine sarcomas account for 3 to 9 % of uterine cancers, and 5.5 to 9 % of uterine sarcomas are adenosarcomas. The most common presenting symptom is abnormal vaginal bleeding. Other symptoms include pelvic pain, abdominal mass, or vaginal discharge. Uterine adenosarcoma commonly arise from the endometrium.

Uterine adenosarcomas have the highest incidence in perimenopasual and postmenopausal women with a mean age of 50 years, but some incidence among children. Survival is better compared to other types of uterine sarcomas. The prognosis of uterine adenosarcoma depends on the stage and if sarcomatous overgrowth is present.

Risk Factors

No definitive causes of adenosarcoma have been identified. Potential risk factors include a medical history of endometriosis and use of estrogen modulating agents such as tamoxifen. Other potential risk factors include previous pelvic irradiation and prolonged estrogen exposure.

Treatment

The standard care of treatment is total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Lymphadenectomy is usually not performed as the incidence of lymph node metastasis is rare. There is no standardized chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or radiation therapy. Because of the rarity of adenosarcoma, there is limited data to guide treatment decisions, particularly in regard to recurrent or metastatic tumors. Chemotherapy may be considered in patients with recurrence or tumors unable to be completely removed through surgery. It has been suggested that uterine adenosarcomas can respond to doxorubicin/ifosfamide and gemcitabine/docetaxel chemotherapy. The use of hormone therapy in recurrent or metastatic disease is limited to case reports

Ovarian Adenosarcoma

Ovarian adenosarcoma is a very rare tumor effecting the ovaries. 97.5% of ovarian adenosarcomas are unilateral, affecting only one ovary. It mainly affects women of reproductive age 30-84, with a mean age of 54. Symptoms of ovarian adenosarcoma include abdominal or pelvic pain and abdominal swelling. Tumor may present as adnexal mass.

Risk Factors

Most of the cases reported have associated endometriosis or an adenosarcoma arising from an endometriotic area, but the direct relation between this tumor and endometriosis has not been made clear in the literature.

Treatment

Typically, ovarian adenosarcomas are surgically removed via salphingopherectomy or panhysterectomy. 67% of patients had tumor rupture at or before excision. There is no standardized chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or radiation therapy due to limited data.

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