Prognostic Differences: Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated Primary Leiomyosarcoma of the Spine Versus Spinal Leiomyosarcoma Metastases.

OBJECTIVE: The authors studied 6 cases of osseous leiomyosarcoma of the spine. Two of these cases were of immunocompromised human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated primary vertebral leiomyosarcomas. The remaining 4 cases were of patients with leiomyosarcoma metastases to the spine.

METHODS: Each patient underwent surgical resection of their vertebral mass; however, the patients with the EBV-associated tumors had the best postoperative prognosis.

RESULTS: The HIV-positive patients have had no further local recurrence, while the other 4 patients had rapid local recurrences requiring multiple surgical interventions. Furthermore, the patients living with HIV have lived longer with fewer leiomyosarcoma-related health complications.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that EBV-associated vertebral leiomyosarcoma is of a less aggressive variety than metastatic leiomyosarcoma of the spine.