Angioleiomyoma of the Foot: Clinical and Functional Outcomes of Surgical Treatment in a Case Series

Abstract

Background: Angioleiomyoma is a benign soft-tissue tumor that arises from the smooth muscle cells in the tunica media of the blood vessels. Although the most common location for these neoplasms is the uterine wall, they can also originate from lower limbs. Altogether, these neoplasms account for 0.2% of all those located in the foot and ankle region. Signs and symptoms of foot angioleiomyoma can be a localized pain, swelling, and functional impairment. To date, only case reports and case series with small populations have been reported in the literature to describe the clinical picture of these neoplasms and the effectiveness of surgical treatment. In this study, we report our results of surgical treatment for angioleiomyomas of the foot. Methods: Thirteen cases suffering from angioleiomyoma of the foot underwent surgical resection in our institution between January of 2017 and January of 2022. For each case, we recorded preoperative and postoperative symptoms, and their preoperative and postoperative functional status according to both Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Score (MSTS) and American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Score (AOFAS). Eventual complications and local recurrence were reported. Results: Each patient had at least mild pain before surgical treatment. The mean preoperative MSTS and AOFAS were 22.1 and 76.8, respectively. The mean tumor size was 17.7mm. Preoperatively, each patient underwent resection with wide margins. None had local recurrences or major complications at their latest follow-up. After surgery, the mean postoperative MSTS and AOFAS increased to 29.5 and 98.8, respectively. Each case had a marked increment of their functionality and a reduction of their pain after surgery. Conclusions: Our results suggest that surgical approach with tumor resection should be considered a safe and reliable treatment for foot angioleiomyomas in light of the extremely low risk of local recurrence and because of the good postoperative pain relief and functional restoration that can be obtained after the treatment.