Rare cancer is deadliest in the uterus, urinary tract and trunk, Edinburgh scientists find after studying 11,700 patients

Leiomyosarcoma is a smooth muscle cancer that can develop in hollow organs such as the stomach, intestines, uterus and blood vessels. It ranks as the most common soft tissue sarcoma, yet treatment options remain limited. Clinicians have traditionally split cases into two categories: uterine or non-uterine disease. Scientists at the University of Edinburgh say that where a tumour originates carries meaningful prognostic weight beyond cancer stage and grade.

Patients whose tumours developed in the extremities, head and neck, or male reproductive tract had better survival outcomes.

Black, widowed and lower-income patients fared significantly worse.

Study lead Dr Robb Hollis called the findings 'critical' for designing future treatment trials.