Clinical and pathologic features of primary gastric rhabdomyosarcoma

Primary Gastric Rhabdomyosarcoma

Primary gastric rhabdomyosarcoma is extremely rare. An 87-year-old man visited our clinic with a chief complaint of abdominal pain. Computed tomography (CT) and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-CT revealed a massive tumor originating from the muscularis propria of the stomach along with splenic vein tumor thrombosis. We diagnosed the patient with primary gastric rhabdomyosarcoma by an endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration/biopsy.

Primary duodenal embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma in adults: a case report

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a soft tissue sarcoma that histologically resembles embryonic skeletal muscle. It is a rare malignancy in adults with a predilection in the head and neck, the genitourinary tract, and other extremities. However, RMS of the gastrointestinal tract is an even rarer condition that merits presentation and discussion. Here, we report on a case of primary duodenal embryonal RMS in an adult.

Gastric carcinosarcoma with rhabdomyosarcomatous differentiation: a case report and review

We report an unusual case of gastric carcinosarcoma with rhabdomyosarcomatous and neudoendocrinal differentiation in a 71-year-old Japanese female. Gastric carcinosarcoma with rhabdomyosarcomatous and neuroendocrinal differentiation is a rare tumor. The tumor developed in the body of the stomach and was exophytic in appearance. By histochemical analysis, the tumor was shown a part of positive for desmin and myoglobin and a part of positive for synaphtophysin and vimentin.We conclude that, though rare, gastric carcinosarcoma with rhabdomyosarcomatous and neuroendocrinal differentiation thus is reviewed in the English literatures.

Coexistence of gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) and malignant neoplasms of different origin: prognostic implications

BACKGROUND

Over the past decade, several changes occurred in diagnostics, treatment and understanding of pathogenesis of gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST). However, their coexistence with other malignancies of different histogenetic origin remains a challenging issue.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with GIST in a 10-years period were identified retrospectively and clinical history and findings thoroughly explored for the presence of associated other malignancies. Follow up data were obtained and analysed for prognostic impact of the concurrent malignancy and/or GIST.

RESULTS

Thirty seven (27 males, 10 females) of 86 GIST-patients (43%) had another malignancy. Mean age was 70 years. Associated malignancies were gastrointestinal (n = 29; 69%), renal-/urological (n = 5; 12%), haematological (n = 4; 9.5%), cutaneous (n = 3; 7%) and thyroid (n = 1; 2.5%) in origin. Majority of GISTs occurred in stomach (65%) and small intestine (30.6%) and most (78%) were asymptomatic incidental findings during diagnostic or therapeutic procedures for associated malignancies. GIST size ranged from 0.1 cm to 9 cm (mean, 2.2 cm) and all of them had a low (<5/50 HPFs) or no mitotic activity. Thirty-one tumours (84%) were of no/very low/low risk and 6 were of intermediate risk. During follow-up (range 3-160 months, mean; 60 months), one patient suffered from distant metastases of GIST. Seven patients (19%) died of associated malignancies and three patients (8%) of other non-tumour-associated cause, but none died of GIST.

CONCLUSION

Coexistence of GIST with other malignancies is higher than previously reported and should draw attention of clinicians towards these incidental findings. Prognosis in these patients is usually determined by other malignancy and not significantly influenced by GIST. Therefore treatment algorithms should be focused on prognostically relevant malignancy.

Establishment and characterization of the rhabdomyosarcoma cell line designated NUTOS derived from the human tongue sarcoma: Special reference to the susceptibility of anti-cancer drugs

Primary alveolar type of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) tumor tissue was collected from the tongue of a 17-year-old Japanese woman and used to successfully establish a rhabdomyosarcoma cell line, which has been designated NUTOS. The chromosomal distribution revealed that the NUTOS cell line was hyper-tetraploid with chromosomal translocation. The cells were grown in Dulbecco's modified eagle medium/F12 supplemented with 15% fetal bovine serum, 0.1% non-essential amino acids solution (NEAA), 50 microg of streptomycin, 50 U/mL of penicillin and 0.25 microg /mL of Fungizone. The NUTOS shapes included small spindles, large spindles and long, thick multinucleated cells. All three cell types were immunostained with anti-desmin antibody, which is a marker protein for middle sized myofilaments. Furthermore, immunocytochemical staining revealed that the cells were positively immunostained with anti-MyoD, myogenin, alpha-sarcomeric actin, myosin and troponin T. Mitotic figures were only observed in the small spindle cells. These cells were coadunated with each other at the lateral portion of the apex of the cells. Subsequently, these cells grew into large multinucleated cells. Autonomic contractions (approximately 20 times/min) were observed in both the large spindle cells and the large multinucleated cells. NUTOS cells incorporated serotonin from the serum in the growth medium. Histopathological observations of the NUTOS cell grafts in the subcutis of nude mice exhibited characteristics similar to those seen for the primary rhabdomyosarcoma of the tongue. Susceptibility tests for the anti-cancer drugs revealed that NUTOS cells were susceptive to cisplatin, paclitaxel, and docetaxel, but not to adriacin.

Primary gastric tumors of infancy and childhood: 54-year experience at a single institution

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Primary gastric tumors are rare in infancy and childhood. Because of the infrequent occurrence of these tumors, the clinician may be unfamiliar with optimal management strategies. We review our experience over the past 54 years and the current literature.

METHODS

During the period extending from 1952 to 2006, 21 infants and children with primary gastric tumors were treated at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. The series includes 8 cases previously reported and 13 additional cases seen since the initial report. Follow-up information is included.

RESULTS

There were 12 males and 9 females, aged 12 days to 18 years, who were diagnosed with gastric tumors. The patients presented primarily with weight loss, vomiting, or an abdominal mass. Morphological analysis revealed gastric stromal tumors (n = 6), teratomas (n = 4), lymphomas (n = 4), adenocarcinomas (n = 2), inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (n = 2), embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (n = 1), and hamartomas (n = 3). There were 16 patients still alive (mean follow-up, 22.3 months), whereas 6 died from active disease despite multimodal treatment. The deaths occurred in patients with stromal tumors, adenocarcinomas, lymphomas, and rhabdomyosarcoma.

CONCLUSIONS

Gastric tumors in children are rare. A high index of suspicion is needed to diagnose these tumors. Most malignant tumors present at an advanced stage and carry a substantial rate of mortality. They should be completely resected whenever feasible. In the case of some malignancies, chemotherapy may play a major role. Metastatic evaluation should be performed in all patients with malignant gastric tumors.

[Gastric sarcoma]

Sarcoma of the stomach is a rare histological entity. These differentiated mesenchymal tumors do not differ clinically from other gastric cancers. Endoscopic ultrasonography is the preferred means of exploration because it determines the existence of a submucosal lesion and provides guidance in determining its type. Certainty of diagnosis requires pathologic and immunohistochemical examinations of the surgical specimen. Malignant gastric stromal tumors are the first differential diagnosis of sarcoma of the stomach. They can be better characterized by testing their expression of the c-kit protein. Histological confirmation of malignancy sometimes remains difficult. Locoregional invasion and distant metastases confirm malignancy. Treatment is essentially surgical. Prognosis depends on tumor size, extension, rupture and histological grade.

Gastrointestinal tumors in children and adolescents

Tumors of the pediatric gastrointestinal tract are extremely rare. Their infrequent presentation at treatment centers has not allowed for the development of standardized treatment protocols and prospective review. The most prevalent gastrointestinal neoplasms and malignancies are described, including gastrointestinal lymphoma, colorectal carcinoma, carcinoid tumors, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, leiomyomas, juvenile polyps, inflammatory pseudotumors, gastric tumors, and Peutz-Jeghers polyposis syndrome. Current recommendations for the medical and surgical management of these tumors are reviewed and summarized for this vast group of gastrointestinal neoplasms in children.

Gastric adenocarcinoma mimicking achalasia in a 15-year-old patient: a case report and review of the literature

Although adenocarcinoma of the cardia is extremely rare in adolescent patients, the endoscopist should be alert to this disease in patients of any age with dysphagia, even if symptoms, and results of a barium study, upper endoscopy, and esophageal manometry are suggestive of primary achalasia, especially if family history is negative for achalasia. In addition, secondary achalasia should be suspected in patients who do not respond to therapy with botulinum toxin within 2 months. Because none of the mentioned tests can distinguish between primary achalasia and secondary forms due to carcinoma of the cardia, biopsy specimens should be obtained. It appears that, although there is a minimal risk for complications, a diagnostic procedure such as biopsy would be appropriate when the information obtained could be essential. In some cases EUS can be an additional diagnostic tool, because lesions of the submucosa and the surrounding area can be identified by EUS.

Synchronous occurrence of epithelial and stromal tumors in the stomach: a report of 6 cases

OBJECTIVE

The synchronous development of epithelial and stromal tumors in the stomach has been reported rarely in the literature. A series of 6 such cases is described in this article.

METHODS

Clinical and pathologic data were recorded and the literature was reviewed.

RESULTS

Five cases featured the simultaneous occurrence of stromal tumors (1 benign, 3 borderline, 1 malignant) and adenocarcinomas, whereas the stromal tumor in the sixth case was found in association with a carcinoid. No collision tumors were observed. In 2 cases, tumors arose from the same site and were closely juxtaposed, but in 4 patients they developed from different areas of the stomach. A preoperative histologic diagnosis of both tumors was not achieved in any case. Two patients harbored occult infiltrative epithelial lesions (1 diffuse-type adenocarcinoma, 1 carcinoid), which were detected only at pathologic examination of the gastric mucosa adjacent to the stromal tumor.

CONCLUSIONS

The simultaneous occurrence of epithelial and stromal tumors in the stomach can be less rare than usually expected. Coincidence alone could account for such an association, particularly in areas with high incidence rates of gastric cancer. The hypothesis that a single carcinogenic agent might interact with two neighboring tissues in the stomach inducing the development of tumors of different histotype cannot be theoretically discarded.

Gastric carcinosarcoma (sarcomatoid carcinoma) with rhabdomyoblastic and osteoblastic differentiation

A rare case of carcinosarcoma (sarcomatoid carcinoma) with rhabdomyoblastic and osteoblastic differentiation occurring in the gastric remnant is reported. A 69-year-old Japanese man who had undergone a partial gastrectomy for a duodenal ulcer 30 years earlier, presented with anemia, epigastralgia, and an abdominal mass. The diagnosis of gastric carcinosarcoma was made based on the findings of endoscopic biopsies. The patient was thus scheduled to undergo a surgical operation, but he died of respiratory failure. At autopsy, a huge polypoid tumor measuring 20 x 18 x 8 cm was located on the greater curvature of the gastric remnant. Microscopically, the tumor consisted of intimately mixed tubular adenocarcinoma and heterologous mesenchymal elements containing rhabdomyosarcoma and osteosarcoma. Between these components, a morphological transition from the adenocarcinoma element to the sarcomatous element was observed. Ultrastructually, rhabdomyoblastic differentiation was confirmed in the sarcomatous areas. Immunocytochemical expressions of epithelial markers including epithelial membrane antigen and cytokeratins (35bH11 and 34bE12) were recognized not only in the carcinomatous cells but also in the sarcomatous cells. These findings suggest that carcinomatous cells appear to transform into cells with sarcomatous features.

Gastric stump carcinosarcoma with rhabdomyosarcomatous differentiation

Gastric carcinosarcoma is an unusual tumor and its occurrence in the gastric stump is extremely rare. A report is presented here of a unique case of gastric stump carcinosarcoma with rhabdomyosarcomatous differentiation in a 74-year-old man. The patient had undergone partial gastrectomy with gastrojejunostomy (Billroth II method) 30 years previously. The tumor had both adenocarcinoma and sarcoma components, and an immunohistochemical study suggested a focal transition between these components. The main sarcomatous components showed fibrosarcomatous features with a scattered distribution of rounded tumor cells, whose rhabdomyosarcomatous differentiation was immunohistochemically determined. Ultrastructural examination supported the rhabdomyosarcomatous natures. Experience with the present tumor indicates that carcinosarcoma with rhabdomyosarcomatous differentiation can occur in the gastric stump and that this disease is capable of aggressive behavior.