Cutaneous leiomyosarcoma: treatment and outcomes with a standardized margin of resection.

BACKGROUND Cutaneous leiomyosarcoma is primarily a low-grade malignancy that affects elderly male Caucasians. It is a rare dermal-based tumor for which treatment algorithms have been poorly defined. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the use of a median 1-cm margin for resection to treat patients with cutaneous leiomyosarcoma referred for treatment between 2005 and 2010. RESULTS Thirty-three patients with cutaneous leiomyosarcoma were treated. Of these, 76% were male, 97% were Caucasian (median age: 63.5 years), and 67% of tumors were located on the extremities. Preoperative staging was negative for distant metastasis in all patients. A majority of the tumors (88%) were low grade (median size: 1.3 cm). All of the tumors were positive for smooth-muscle actin. A total of 94% of patients underwent primary surgical resection with a median margin of 1 cm. Final resection margin was negative in 97% of patients. Adjuvant radiotherapy was used in 15%. No metastatic spread or recurrences were present, and 100% of patients were alive at last follow-up (median: 15.5 months). CONCLUSIONS Good oncological control and excellent outcomes are possible with a 1-cm resection margin in most cases of cutaneous leiomyosarcoma.