A case report with pathological insights into cotyledonoid dissecting leiomyoma: Essential for differentiating this rare benign tumor from cancer

Cotyledonoid dissecting leiomyoma (CDL), also known as Sternberg tumor, is a rare uterine leiomyoma variant with distinct imaging, gross, and microscopic features that deviate from classic leiomyomas. Despite its benign nature, CDL frequently mimics malignancy on radiologic and clinical evaluations,...

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Main Authors: Masoud Edalati, Karam Khouri, Ahmed Lazim, Shuanzeng Wei, Anjali Seth, Daniela Proca
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Case Reports in Women's Health
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214911225000402
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author Masoud Edalati
Karam Khouri
Ahmed Lazim
Shuanzeng Wei
Anjali Seth
Daniela Proca
author_facet Masoud Edalati
Karam Khouri
Ahmed Lazim
Shuanzeng Wei
Anjali Seth
Daniela Proca
author_sort Masoud Edalati
collection DOAJ
description Cotyledonoid dissecting leiomyoma (CDL), also known as Sternberg tumor, is a rare uterine leiomyoma variant with distinct imaging, gross, and microscopic features that deviate from classic leiomyomas. Despite its benign nature, CDL frequently mimics malignancy on radiologic and clinical evaluations, posing a diagnostic challenge. Understanding its unique characteristics is crucial for correct diagnosis to prevent unnecessary aggressive treatment. This report concerns the case of a 52-year-old postmenopausal woman with abnormal bleeding and an enlarged uterus. Ultrasound revealed a 4.3 × 3.5 × 3.5 cm complex echogenic mass of undetermined etiology in the right adnexa. MRI demonstrated a heterogeneously enhancing, irregular mass between the right ovary and uterine fundus. Given her postmenopausal status, a total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was performed. Gross examination revealed a red, spongy, nodular, and cystic tumor containing gelatinous material. The mass involved the right lateral uterine wall, extending toward the fundus and round ligament, but remained distinct from the ovary and fallopian tube. Microscopically, interlacing smooth muscle fascicles whorled around prominent thick-walled vessels, confirming the diagnosis of CDL—a rare, benign uterine leiomyoma with a unique gross and microscopic appearance. Recognizing CDL is critical for both clinicians and pathologists to avoid misdiagnosing it as malignancy. Increased awareness can prevent unnecessary radical treatment, ensuring appropriate patient management while avoiding potential overtreatment and associated complications.
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spelling doaj-art-27f8915fb0b046ca9cd62339d37315912025-08-20T03:18:38ZengElsevierCase Reports in Women's Health2214-91122025-06-0146e0071910.1016/j.crwh.2025.e00719A case report with pathological insights into cotyledonoid dissecting leiomyoma: Essential for differentiating this rare benign tumor from cancerMasoud Edalati0Karam Khouri1Ahmed Lazim2Shuanzeng Wei3Anjali Seth4Daniela Proca5Department of Pathology, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, USADepartment of Pathology, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, USADepartment of Pathology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USADepartment of Pathology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, USADepartment of Pathology, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, USADepartment of Pathology, Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, USA; Corresponding author.Cotyledonoid dissecting leiomyoma (CDL), also known as Sternberg tumor, is a rare uterine leiomyoma variant with distinct imaging, gross, and microscopic features that deviate from classic leiomyomas. Despite its benign nature, CDL frequently mimics malignancy on radiologic and clinical evaluations, posing a diagnostic challenge. Understanding its unique characteristics is crucial for correct diagnosis to prevent unnecessary aggressive treatment. This report concerns the case of a 52-year-old postmenopausal woman with abnormal bleeding and an enlarged uterus. Ultrasound revealed a 4.3 × 3.5 × 3.5 cm complex echogenic mass of undetermined etiology in the right adnexa. MRI demonstrated a heterogeneously enhancing, irregular mass between the right ovary and uterine fundus. Given her postmenopausal status, a total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was performed. Gross examination revealed a red, spongy, nodular, and cystic tumor containing gelatinous material. The mass involved the right lateral uterine wall, extending toward the fundus and round ligament, but remained distinct from the ovary and fallopian tube. Microscopically, interlacing smooth muscle fascicles whorled around prominent thick-walled vessels, confirming the diagnosis of CDL—a rare, benign uterine leiomyoma with a unique gross and microscopic appearance. Recognizing CDL is critical for both clinicians and pathologists to avoid misdiagnosing it as malignancy. Increased awareness can prevent unnecessary radical treatment, ensuring appropriate patient management while avoiding potential overtreatment and associated complications.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214911225000402Cotyledonoid dissecting leiomyomaNext-generation sequencingMRICytogenomic microarray analysis
spellingShingle Masoud Edalati
Karam Khouri
Ahmed Lazim
Shuanzeng Wei
Anjali Seth
Daniela Proca
A case report with pathological insights into cotyledonoid dissecting leiomyoma: Essential for differentiating this rare benign tumor from cancer
Case Reports in Women's Health
Cotyledonoid dissecting leiomyoma
Next-generation sequencing
MRI
Cytogenomic microarray analysis
title A case report with pathological insights into cotyledonoid dissecting leiomyoma: Essential for differentiating this rare benign tumor from cancer
title_full A case report with pathological insights into cotyledonoid dissecting leiomyoma: Essential for differentiating this rare benign tumor from cancer
title_fullStr A case report with pathological insights into cotyledonoid dissecting leiomyoma: Essential for differentiating this rare benign tumor from cancer
title_full_unstemmed A case report with pathological insights into cotyledonoid dissecting leiomyoma: Essential for differentiating this rare benign tumor from cancer
title_short A case report with pathological insights into cotyledonoid dissecting leiomyoma: Essential for differentiating this rare benign tumor from cancer
title_sort case report with pathological insights into cotyledonoid dissecting leiomyoma essential for differentiating this rare benign tumor from cancer
topic Cotyledonoid dissecting leiomyoma
Next-generation sequencing
MRI
Cytogenomic microarray analysis
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214911225000402
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