PERINEAL AND PERIRECTAL SARCOMAS - REPORT OF 2 CASES

PURPOSE: Perineal sarcomas are rare tumors that are typically of an ex tensive nature by the time of diagnosis. In this article, two case rep orts are followed by a brief review of different types of sarcomas tha t may occur in the perineal and perirectal region. STUDY PATIENTS: Thi s study consists of two cases that are representative of the many type s of perineal/perirectal sarcomas. PRINCIPLE CONCLUSIONS: Perineal and perirectal sarcomas are generally of poor prognosis mainly because of delayed diagnosis. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging can be extremely useful to help assess these tumors. It is well known that the most important criterion for diagnosing leiomyosarcomas appe ars to be the presence of mitotic activity. Anorectal stromal tumors h aving five or more mitoses per 50 high powered fields are considered t o be malignant. The mainstay of treatment is surgical excision with wi de margins. Currently, chemotherapeutic and radiotherapy trials are un der way.