Smooth muscle tumors of uncertain malignant potential (STUMP): current state of the problem

The most common type of uterine tumors are smooth muscle tumors: benign leiomyomas, smooth muscle tumors of uncertain malignant potential (STUMP), sarcomas. The incidence of STUMP is difficult to estimate. They account for 1,3% of all uterine malignancies. A thorough histopathological examination is necessary to confirm the correct diagnosis of STUMP due to the unreliability of preoperative imaging techniques for differentiating between leiomyoma, STUMP and leiomyosarcoma. Compared with sarcomas, STUMP have a better prognosis, but their biological potential is uncertain because recurrence, malignancy, and metastasis are possible many years later. Considering the rarity of tumors with uncertain malignant potential, the small number of publications on their treatment, there are no clinical recommendations for the management and treatment of patients with this pathology. The article reviews current data on the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of smooth muscle tumors, management tactics, treatment, and prognosis of patients with STUMP.