Tsukasa Matsumoto

Primary leiomyosarcoma of bone. A case report and review of the literature.

A 62‐year‐old female with primary leiomyosarcoma of the left femur is reported with a review of 21 cases reported in the literature. The resected specimen showed that the tumor extended from the femoral head to the diaphysis for 13cm in length. The tumor showed mainly intramedullary proliferation, but extraosseous growth was also noted at the great trochanter. Microscopic examination revealed well differentiated leiomyosarcoma characterized by interlacing bundles of fusiform cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm and rod‐shaped hyperchromatic nuclei. PAP stain of actin on the tumor cells was positive. On electron microscopy, microfilament of 6–8 nm in diameter, dense bodies, plnocytotic vesicles, marginal attachment plate, and basal lamina were noted. The patient died with pulmonary metastasis, 1 year and 7 months after the operation. An autopsy showed metastases in the right pelvic cavity and bilateral lungs, and confirmed the primary site to be the left femur.

Effects of Age on Plasma Andorostenedione and Dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate Levels

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the relationship between age and C19 androgen (androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate). The study was carried out on 38 men and 53 women. In men plasma androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate increased from 10 to 20 years of age and peaked during their 20s, falling gradually afterwards.This roughly parallels the increase and decline of bone mineral content. For women our study has thus far only covered those in the 40 to 80 years of age range. These subjects showed a very gradual drop in plasma androstenedione and dehydroepiandrogen-sulfate levels from age 40 onwards.