Desmoplastic small cell tumor: a report of three cases and a review of the literature

Desmoplastic small round cell tumour in children and adolescents

BACKGROUND

Desmoplastic small round cell tumour (DSRCT) is a rare highly aggressive neoplasm, and clinical studies are scarce.

PROCEDURE

We report six cases of children and adolescents (median age 14 years, range 6.9-17.5) with DSRCT (5 abdominal, 1 paratesticular) registered by the Italian Cooperative Group (ICG) for soft tissue sarcoma over a 9-year period. Patients received a multidisciplinary treatment, including aggressive initial or delayed surgery and radiotherapy. Chemotherapy regimen was based on the use of ifosfamide, vincristine, dactinomycin, and a few doses of antharacyclines (doxorubicin or epirubicin).

RESULTS

Complete surgical resection was possible only for the paratesticular tumour. Among the patients with abdominal lesions, macroscopically radical excision was possible in only one case. All patients received multidrug chemotherapy, and tumour reduction was obtained in the 4 evaluable patients. No relapses were evident in the irradiated fields in the 4 patients who received radiotherapy. Two patients remained progression-free 22 and 63 months after diagnosis, one is in third complete remission, whereas three died 10-25 months after diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

DSRCT is a chemosensitive tumour, but survival rates remain disappointing despite aggressive multimodality therapy. Our results support surgical tumour removal and radiotherapy to achieve local control. Our experience and a review of the literature suggest that patients with localised abdominal tumours or a paratesticular primary may have a better prognosis.

Very intensive, short-term chemotherapy for children and adolescents with metastatic sarcomas

BACKGROUND

To improve the prognosis for pediatric patients with metastatic sarcomas, including the Ewing sarcoma family of tumors (ESFT), rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), and undifferentiated sarcoma (UDS), we tested the feasibility of a brief, intensive regimen of chemotherapy that maximizes dose intensity.

PROCEDURE

Twenty-four children and adolescents with metastatic sarcomas received VACIME chemotherapy, consisting of eight courses of vincristine 2 mg/m(2) on day 0; doxorubicin 20 mg/m(2)/day on days 0-3; cyclophosphamide 360 mg/m(2)/day on days 0-4; ifosfamide 1,800 mg/m(2)/day on days 0-4; mesna 2,400 mg/m(2)/day; and etoposide 100 mg/m(2)/day on days 0-4. Doxorubicin was omitted in courses 7 and 8. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) was used routinely following each course of therapy. Courses of therapy were repeated every 21 days or as soon as hematopoietic recovery and resolution of nonhematopoietic toxicities permitted. Surgical resection followed course 6, and radiotherapy followed the completion of all therapy.

RESULTS

Thirteen patients achieved a complete response (CR) with chemotherapy alone, and seven more achieved a CR following surgical resection after course 6 (overall CR rate 83%). There was one toxic death. Thirteen patients developed progressive disease, with 2- and 4-year event-free survivals (95% confidence interval) of 50% (30-70%) and 45% (25-65%), respectively. Myelosuppression was severe and cumulative, leading to dose reductions and chemotherapy interval delays. Mucositis was the most common nonhematopoietic toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

VACIME chemotherapy was a feasible dose-intensive regimen for pediatric patients with metastatic sarcomas. Cumulative hematopoietic toxicity and severe mucositis limited the delivery of chemotherapy as prescribed. The CR and 2-year event-free survival rates were superior to those of most previously reported regimens.

Paratesticular desmoplastic small round cell tumor: case report and review of the literature

Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is a rare neoplasm mainly affecting young males and typically located in the abdomen. Prognosis is generally very poor. We report a rare case of paratesticular DSRCT in a 17-year-old boy, presenting with an isolated left scrotal mass. The patient had an excellent outcome after complete surgical resection of the tumor and adjuvant multi-agent chemotherapy. DSRCT should be included in the differential diagnosis of small round cell tumors of the paratesticular region in adolescents and young adults. Tumor resection and chemotherapy may be beneficial for these patients. Our experience and a review of the literature suggest that DSRCT located in the paratesticular region may have a better prognosis than its more frequent abdominal counterpart.

The expanding clinical spectrum of desmoplastic small round-cell tumor: a report of two cases with molecular confirmation

Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is an aggressive neoplasm characterized by a consistent histological appearance, a unique immunohistochemical profile, and a specific chromosomal translocation. DSRCT is also hallmarked by distinctive clinical features. Most tumors arise in adolescent or young adult males, present as bulky abdominal masses, and diffusely spread along the peritoneal surface. We report two cases of DSRCT that do not fit this typical profile. One case involved the abdominal cavity of a 76-year-old woman. The other case arose in the parotid of a 22-year-old man. Histologically, the tumors showed the characteristic features of DSRCT. Immunohistochemically, the tumors showed positivity for cytokeratin, desmin, and neuron-specific enolase. Genetically, the tumors expressed the EWS-WT1 chimeric transcript. These two cases expand the differential diagnosis for poorly differentiated small-cell tumors that involve elderly patients or arise in the parotid. Moreover, they challenge the popular notion that DSRCT is a "blastomatous" tumor derived exclusively from the primitive mesothelium.

Desmoplastic small round cell tumor of the abdomen: radiologic-histopathologic correlation

PURPOSE

To characterize the imaging features of desmoplastic small round cell tumor of the abdomen and correlate them with the histopathologic findings.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eleven of 14 patients with desmoplastic small round cell tumor had primary abdominal involvement. In nine of these patients (mean age, 20 years), results of imaging studies (computed tomography in nine patients, ultrasonography [US] in three) and histopathologic specimens were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

The hallmark imaging feature was lobulated peritoneal masses (mean number, 4.4; range, 1-17) with a mean diameter of 5.0 cm (range, 2-12 cm). Omental and paravesical tumors were each present in six patients. Retroperitoneal masses were present in three patients. The tumors were well defined and hypoechoic at US. Heterogeneity due to tumor hemorrhage or necrosis was seen in seven patients. Ascites was present in five patients. Parenchymal and/or serosal hepatic metastases, punctate calcifications, nodular peritoneal thickening, lymphadenopathy, hydronephrosis, and bowel obstruction were less common associated findings.

CONCLUSION

Bulky peritoneal soft-tissue masses without an apparent organ-based primary site are characteristic of intraabdominal desmoplastic small round cell tumor. Although the findings are nonspecific, this diagnosis can be considered in adolescents and young adults with characteristic imaging findings.

Desmoplastic small round cell tumors: prognostic indicators and results of surgical management

BACKGROUND

Desmoplastic small round cell tumors (DSRCT or DSCT) are rare aggressive cancers of adolescence and early adulthood. There are few reported series to guide clinical therapy. This study correlates survival with treatment variables, including aggressive surgical debulking.

METHODS

Thirty-two patients with documented DSRCT received treatment at our institution. Demographic, clinical, and treatment variables were correlated with progression-free survival using log-rank statistics.

RESULTS

Thirty patients were male (96%), and two were female (4%), with a median age at diagnosis of 22 years. The primary site of disease in 97% of cases was the abdomen or pelvis. Twenty-nine patients (91%) had extensive disease involving peritoneal surfaces, lymph nodes, or discontinuous organs. All 32 patients received systemic chemotherapy. Fifteen (47%) underwent tumor debulking greater than 90% at diagnosis or during therapy. A complete or very good response to therapy occurred in 13 patients, and depended on surgical removal of bulk disease in all. Thirteen patients remained progression-free, but three of these patients died from treatment toxicity. Improved survival was correlated with a complete or very good partial response to multimodality therapy, surgical debulking of more than 90% either before or after chemotherapy, and use of the P6 protocol.

CONCLUSIONS

DSRCT is an aggressive cancer that occurs predominantly in young males. Improved survival is correlated with intense chemotherapy and aggressive resection.