Christy Chan
Project: Outcomes and surveillance of rare uterine smooth muscle tumours of uncertain malignant potential (STUMP) in a Canadian context
“Behind each diagnosis is someone with real lived experience. While I analyze the radiological, pathological and surgical characteristics, I try not to get too caught up in the numerical data and keep this advice in mind. This is important as the research that I am doing is ultimately for patients with the aim of bettering outcomes in those affected by uterine cancers.”
Summary: Uterine smooth muscle tumours are the most common tumours of the female reproductive system. While the majority, known as fibroids or leiomyomas, are benign, others, such as leiomyosarcomas (uLMS), are clearly cancerous. A rare, intermediate category exists: smooth muscle tumours of uncertain malignant potential, or STUMP. Diagnosing STUMP and uLMS is tricky because they can look and act like fibroids. So, most of the time, they are diagnosed after surgery. To complicate things, STUMP can recur years after initial surgery, and there is limited consensus on optimal surveillance strategies.
This study aims to establish standardized surveillance guidelines to improve clinical monitoring and resource optimization within a public health-care setting. We will analyze the outcomes and recurrence rates of uLMS and STUMP cases in Alberta from November 2019 onwards and survey doctors on their follow-up practices. Ultimately, this research will provide evidence-based guidelines to support clinical decision-making and enhance the management of patients with STUMP.
Christy Chan was supervised by Dr. Christa Aubrey in the University of Alberta Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, and her WCHRI summer studentship was funded by the Alberta Women’s Health Foundation. She is enrolled in the U of A’s doctor of medicine program.
Read more about WCHRI’s training awards for students at all levels and generous grants for researchers. See the rest of the 2026 summer studentship recipients here.
