Luteinizing hormone receptor expression in leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata

Background: Leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata has been attributed to estrogen stimulation and is seen only rarely in postmenopausal women. In such cases, pathogenesis is uncertain. Case: Leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata tumors were resected from a postmenopausal woman. She was receiving tamoxifen therapy for breast cancer and had bilateral ovarian Brenner tumors. Estrogen and progesterone receptors were detected. Immunohistochemical analysis indicated that LH receptors were present. Conclusion: Luteinizing hormone receptors were identified in leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata in one woman. Levels of FSH and LH increase after menopause, and immunohistochemical analysis showed the presence of LH receptors, so gonadotropin rather than estrogen stimulation might have contributed to development of leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata in this uncommon case. (Obstet Gynecol 2000;95:1009-11. (C) 2000 by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.).