Leiomyosarcoma at 10x Magnification

The cause of leiomyosarcoma is not yet fully understood, but a number of risk factors for the disease have been identified. One of the most notable of these factors is age, the vast majority of leiomyosarcoma tumors occurring in individuals that are more than 50 years old. In children, the disease is extremely rare. Heredity also appears to be involved in the development of leiomyosarcoma, individuals with various inherited diseases, such as neurofibromatosis, displaying an increased incidence. Some evidence suggests that exposure to certain chemical substances increase the risk of developing the disease as well. Some of the chemicals in question include various wood preservatives, industrial pollutants, and pesticides.