Leiomyoma of the round ligament in a postmenopausal woman

Objective: Leiomyoma of the round ligament of the uterus is a rare conditio n. We present the first case of a postmenopausal, previously hysterectomise d, woman who received combined hormonal replacement therapy and developed a leiomyoma of the right round ligament, Method: In sections of the tumor, i mmunohistochemical reaction with monoclonal antibodies against smooth muscl e actin, desmin, vimentin, estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor was performed. Results: The leiomyoma showed bizarre histologic appearance in a bsence of mitotic figures and degenerative changes. Leiomyocytes presented a positive immunohistochemical reaction with monoclonal antibodies against smooth muscle actin, desmin vimentin and progesterone receptor in absence o f estrogen receptor. Conclusion: Progestin as part of a combined hormonal r eplacement therapy may play an important role in promoting the development of leiomyoma in hormonal responsive tissue of the round ligament in postmen opausal women. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.