Intracranial extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma with special reference to lamellar inclusions in the rough endoplasmic reticulum

SKK, B. JP, Bahuleyan A, P. RC, Varghese T, Pillai MA. Primary Extraskeletal Falcine Myxoid Chondrosarcoma-A Case Report and Review of Literature

Intracranial chondrosarcomas are rare malignant lesions. Both skull base and dural-based extraosseous chondrosarcomas have been reported to occur intracranially. Dural-based chondrosarcomas arising from the falx cerebri are rare lesions with only 19 cases reported till date. Although conventional, mesenchymal, and myxoid variants of chondrosarcomas have been reported intracranially, myxoid variant are the rarest with only 17 cases reported till date, among which only 2 were falcine. We are reporting the third case of falcine myxoid chondrosarcoma in a 32-year-old man who presented with seizures and subtle lower limb weakness. Radiological findings were suggestive of an atypical meningioma in the falcine region. Macroscopically total resection of the tumor was done. Histopathological examination confirmed myxoid chondrosarcoma, grade 1. Postoperative period was uneventful, and the patient remains asymptomatic 34 months after the surgery without the application of any adjuvant therapy. Falcine myxoid chondrosarcomas are extremely rare lesions with variable aggressiveness as suggested by the three cases reported till now including the present case.

Primary intracranial extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND

Primary intracranial extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma (EMC) is an extremely rare low- to intermediate-grade malignant soft tissue sarcoma, and only 15 cases have been reported in the literature. Due to its rarity, clinical data and research on this tumor type are extremely limited, the pathogenesis and histological origin are still unclear, and the diagnostic and standard clinical treatment strategies for intracranial EMC remain controversial and undefined.

CASE SUMMARY

We reported a case of a 52-year-old male who was admitted to the hospital with headache and dizziness for 1 mo, and his health status deteriorated during the last week. CT of the head showed a well-defined low-density lesion situated in the left cavernous sinus. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a 3.4 cm × 3.0 cm sized, well-defined, round-shaped and heterogeneously enhanced lesion located in the left cavernous sinus. The entire lesion was removed via supratentorial craniotomy and microsurgery. Postoperative pathological diagnosis indicated primary intracranial EMC. Subsequently, the patient underwent 45 Gy/15 F stereotactic radiotherapy after discharge. At present, it is 12 mo after surgery, with regular postoperative follow-up and regular MRI examinations, that there are no clinical symptoms and radiographic evidence indicating the recurrence of the tumor, and the patient has returned to normal life.

CONCLUSION

Currently, the most beneficial treatment for primary intracranial EMC is gross total resection combined with postoperative radiotherapy. Long-term follow-up is also necessary for patients.

Intracranial Extraskeletal Myxoid Chondrosarcoma in Fourth Ventricle

We present an extremely rare case of intracranial extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma. A 36-year-old male presented with dizziness persisting for 2 weeks. MRI of the patient showed well-enhanced mass of fourth ventricle. The tumor was totally removed under telovelar approach. Pathology results confirmed an intracranial extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma. Adjuvant radiotherapy was initiated one month after the surgery, and MRI followed 3 months after initial operation and showed no evidence of tumor recurrence.

Primary intracranial extra-skeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma of right lateral ventricle with EWSR1 gene fusion: a case report and review of literature

Background

Primary intracranial malignancies with extra-skeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma (EMC) features are extremely rare. EMC constitutes a distinct genomic entity characterised by reciprocal translocation of fusion genes, most commonly EWS RNA Binding Protein 1 (EWSR1) in 22q12 with Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4 Group A Member 3 (NR4A3) in 9q2-q31.1. It is reported to have a high propensity for local recurrence and has potential for metastasis. So far in 28 years since its first description, only 17 cases of primary intracranial EMC were reported in literature. This would be the second case of intraventricular origin and first case from lateral ventricle.

Case presentation

A 27-year-old male presenting with complaints of headache, seizures and pain in neck was diagnosed to have a mass lesion in right lateral ventricle in Magnetic Resonance Imaging of brain. He underwent right parieto-occipital craniotomy with total excision of the lesion. Initial histopathological examination was reported as Ependymoma, WHO grade II. However, blocks and slides review with immunohistochemistry (IHC) markers revealed neoplastic aetiology with extensive myxoid changes. Hence, fluorescent in-situ hybridisation (FISH) testing was done with EWSR1 break apart probe, which demonstrated EWSR1 break apart signals. Therefore, correlating the clinical findings with morphology, IHC and FISH, the diagnosis of primary intracranial EMC was rendered. Patient received adjuvant external beam radiation of 54 Gy in 30 fractions to the post-op region. At 29-month follow-up, there was no evidence of disease recurrence.

Conclusions

Owing to the rarity of the condition, there are no standard treatment guidelines available for primary intracranial EMC. A combined treatment approach with surgery followed by adjuvant radiotherapy provides good local control with less morbidity.

Metastatic Intracerebral Chondrosarcoma: Case Report and Literature Review of Endocrine Effects and Management Paradigms

The most common underlying diagnosis of intracranial tumor pathology is metastatic disease, followed by primary brain tumors. Chondrosarcomatous metastatic disease of the brain is a rare subtype of this disease process.

The patient presented with right-sided weakness. Her history was significant for femur chondrosarcoma which was resected and treated. Laboratory analysis revealed persistent hypercalcemia and hyperglycemia. MRI of the brain was completed, which revealed a left parietal-occipital lesion with smaller lesions in the left frontal and right parietal lobe.

Multidisciplinary tumor board recommended surgery for lesion resection and pathology. Surgical pathologic diagnosis after lesion resection was metastatic chondrosarcoma. The patient’s preoperative arm and leg weakness improved after surgery.

Our paper delineates this unique case of intracranial spread of femur chondrosarcoma.

Desmoplastic myxoid tumor, SMARCB1-mutant: clinical, histopathological and molecular characterization of a pineal region tumor encountered in adolescents and adults

Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (ATRT) is a highly malignant brain tumor predominantly occurring in infants. Mutations of the SMARCB1 gene are the characteristic genetic lesion. SMARCB1-mutant tumors in adolescents and adults are rare and may show uncommon histopathological and clinical features. Here we report seven SMARCB1-deficient intracranial tumors sharing distinct clinical, histopathological and molecular features. Median age of the four females and three males was 40 years (range 15-61 years). All tumors were located in the pineal region. Histopathologically, these tumors displayed spindled and epithelioid cells embedded in a desmoplastic stroma alternating with a variable extent of a loose myxoid matrix. All cases showed loss of nuclear SMARCB1/INI1 protein expression, expression of EMA and CD34 was frequent and the Ki67/MIB1 proliferation index was low in the majority of cases (median 3%). Three cases displayed heterozygous SMARCB1 deletions and two cases a homozygous SMARCB1 deletion. On sequencing, one tumor showed a 2 bp deletion in exon 4 (c.369_370del) and one a short duplication in exon 3 (c.237_276dup) both resulting in frameshift mutations. Most DNA methylation profiles were not classifiable using the Heidelberg Brain Tumor Classifier (version v11b4). By unsupervised t-SNE analysis and hierarchical clustering analysis, however, all tumors grouped closely together and showed similarities with ATRT-MYC. After a median observation period of 48 months, three patients were alive with stable disease, whereas one patient experienced tumor progression and three patients had succumbed to disease. In conclusion, our series represents an entity with distinct clinical, histopathological and molecular features showing epigenetic similarities with ATRT-MYC. We propose the designation desmoplastic myxoid tumor (DMT), SMARCB1-mutant, for these tumors.

Extraskeletal Myxoid Chondrosarcoma of the Parotid Gland

Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma (EMC) is a rare tumor with an estimated incidence of <3% among of all soft-tissue sarcomas. It is characterized by a multinodular architecture, abundant myxoid matrix, and malignant chondroblast-like cells arranged in cords. The tumor is an entity from chondrosarcomas of bones, commonly found in the soft tissues of the lower extremities at 80%. There are very limited reports of this tumor in the head and neck, especially in the parotid gland. The purpose of this paper is to describe an EMC located at an unusual site in the parotid gland, and briefly, the literature review with special reference to the clinicopathological features and the treatment approach was discussed.

Primary extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma in cerebellum: A case report with literature review

RATIONALE

Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma (EMC) is a rare malignant neoplasm of which intracranial EMC is the rarest.

PATIENT CONCERNS

We present an unusual case report of a 41-year-old woman who was sent to the emergency department for a sudden headache and other symptoms related to increased intracranial pressure.

INTERVENTIONS

Emergent CT revealed an occupying lesion in the left cerebellum with surrounding edema. A complete surgical excision of the lesion through a transcortical approach was performed. After the operation, this patient received adjuvant radiotherapy and temozolomide treatment.

DIAGNOSES

Pathology diagnosis was an intracranial EMC.

OUTCOMES

The patient survives with no tumor recurrence as of the last follow-up. Progression-free survival exceeded 20 months.

LESSONS

We have reviewed the literature and here summarize the diagnosis and treatment options for intracranial EMC. Diagnosis and treatment options of this rare disease are discussed.

Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma of the masticator space in a pediatric patient

Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma (EMC) is a malignant soft-tissue neoplasm rarely described in the head and neck region of children and adolescents. We describe a case of EMC affecting the masticator space and a literature review. A 13-year-old boy who presented a large painless, diffuse mass causing progressive midfacial asymmetry of 6 months duration. Histopathological evaluation revealed a multinodular lesion, containing scattered round vacuolated tumor cells dispersed in an abundant myxoid stroma, separated by fibrous septae. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed positivity for vimentin, neuron-specific enolase, and chromogranin. The Ki-67 labelling index was 42%. The patient was treated surgically with tumor resection followed by adjuvant local radiotherapy. The patient died 1 year after initial diagnosis due to locoregional tumor dissemination. EMC should be considered in the differential diagnosis of myxoid neoplasms in the head and neck region.

Key words:Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma, masticator space, parapharyngeal space, immunohistochemistry, children.

Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma of the vulva: A case report

Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma (ESMC) of the vulva is an extremely rare tumor and currently, there is little available information on its biological behavior and treatment strategy. The present study reports a case of recurrent ESMC of the vulva in a 32-year-old female. The patient presented with an increasingly painful mass of the right vulva, at the site of an exision which had been performed 7-months previously. The tumor mass was histopathologically diagnosed as primary ESMC of the vulva and subsequently, vulvectomy was performed. Cytological examination showed negative surgical margins. Intraoperative radiation therapy at a single dose of 10 Gy was administered to the bed of the removed tumor. The patient refused chemotherapy and five months after surgery, a new lesion was identified in the inguinal region. Bilateral inguinal-femoral lymph node dissection was performed and external beam radiation therapy at a dose of 40 Gy was administered to the inguinal region. Follow-up examination seven months after surgery revealed no evidence of disease progression and at present, the patient remains alive. This study highlights the importance of analyzing each clinical case of ESMC as this may lead to the development of guidelines for the optimal treatment of this rare tumor.

Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma presenting as an intradural spinal mass: report of a rare clinical presentation with an emphasis on differential diagnostic considerations

Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma is a rare soft tissue neoplasm that occurs predominantly in the soft tissues of the lower extremities. Herein we present a case of a 29 year old male who presented with bilateral femoral numbness believed to be the result of prior injury to his back. A magnetic resonance imaging revealed a mass in the T4-T5 epidural space compressing the spinal cord. Laminectomy was performed and the lesion removed piecemeal. The pathology specimen consisted of multiple fragments of dura involved by a myxoid neoplasm with a nodular growth pattern. The tumor cells were arranged in anastomosing cords and strands. Individual tumor cells were small, of uniform size and shape, with small hyperchromatic nuclei and scant eosinophilic cytoplasm. Immunohistochemical stains were performed which showed the tumor cells were diffusely positive for vimentin and focally positive for EMA, S-100 protein and cytokeratin, whereas they were negative for CD34 and CD99. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) studies showed a clonal population of cells with re-arrangement of the EWSR1 locus, confirming the histologic impression of extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma. This is the first report of a case of an extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma arising from the dura, confirmed to have rearrangement of the EWSR1 gene by FISH. There have only been two other cases of dural based extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma reported prior to our case. We also briefly review the published literature and discuss differential diagnostic considerations for this rare tumor.

Intracranial extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma : case report and literature review

Intracranial extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma is extremely rare, with only seven patients previously reported. We present a case report of a 21-year-old woman admitted for weakness in her right extremities and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed hydrocephalus and a well-enhanced large mass around her left thalamus. A left parietal craniotomy and a cortisectomy at the superior parietal lobule were performed. Total surgical resection was also performed, and pathology results confirmed an extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma. Postoperative MRI showed no residual tumor, and the patient underwent radiotherapy. After six months of radiotherapy, the patient's headache and weakness had improved to grade IV. This malignant tumor showed high rates of recurrence in previous reports. We here report another occurrence of this highly malignant and rare tumor in a patient treated using total surgical excision and adjuvant radiotherapy.

[Chondrosarcomas of skull base treatment]

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Skull base chondrosarcomas are rare. Gross total removal is the treatment of choice, but can be difficult depending on the closeness of noble structures. Proton beam therapy can be associated in most cases.

METHODS

Retrospective study of five cases treated in 13 years and study of the literature.

RESULTS

Median age of patients was 34 years [28-46]. Cranial nerve palsy was the common clinical presentation. Tumor location was variable but always off midline. Treatment was surgical in all patients with a maximal resection and proton beam therapy associated for two cases. Surgical complications were rare with cranial nerve palsy as the main side effect. Outcomes were good with a median follow-up of 12.4 years [4.3-16.2].

DISCUSSION

The review of the literature showed that chondrosarcomas of skull base are rare. The best outcome is achieved with total surgical resection. Medical imaging can only give clues to the diagnosis. Pathology is required to obtain a precise immunohistochemistry diagnosis. Multidisciplinary treatment using proton beam therapy and surgical removal enables a good local control (90-100%) at 5 years with good quality-of-life. It is difficult to determine how many cases have been published (around 220 cases in the literature) since many surgical or radiotherapy series included the same patients.

Distinguishing chordoid meningiomas from their histologic mimics: an immunohistochemical evaluation

Chordoid meningioma, World Health Organization grade II, is an uncommon variant of meningioma with a propensity for aggressive behavior and increased likelihood of recurrence. As such, recognition of this entity is important in cases that show similar morphologic overlap with other chondroid/myxoid neoplasms that can arise within or near the central nervous system. A formal comparison of the immunohistochemical features of chordoid meningioma versus tumors with significant histologic overlap has not been previously reported. In this study, immunohistochemical staining was performed with antibodies against D2-40, S100, pankeratin, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), brachyury, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in 4 cases of chordoid glioma, 6 skeletal myxoid chondrosarcomas, 10 chordoid meningiomas, 16 extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma, 18 chordomas, 22 low-grade chondrosarcomas, and 27 enchondromas. Staining extent and intensity were evaluated semiquantitatively and mean values for each parameter were calculated. Immunostaining with D2-40 showed positivity in 100% of skeletal myxoid chondrosarcomas, 96% of enchondromas, 95% of low-grade chondrosarcomas, 80% of chordoid meningiomas, and 75% of chordoid gliomas. Staining with S100 demonstrated diffuse, strong positivity in all (100%) chordoid gliomas, skeletal myxoid chondrosarcomas, low-grade chondrosarcomas, and enchondromas, 94% of chordomas, and 81% of extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcomas, with focal, moderate staining in 40% of chordoid meningiomas. Pankeratin highlighted 100% of chordoid gliomas and chordomas, 38% of extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcomas, and 20% of chordoid meningiomas. EMA staining was positive in 100% of chordoid gliomas, 94% of chordomas, 90% of chordoid meningiomas, and 25% of extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcomas. Brachyury was positive only in the chordomas (100%), whereas GFAP was positive only in the chordoid gliomas (100%). EMA was the most effective antibody for differentiating chordoid meningioma from skeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma, low-grade chondrosarcoma, and enchondroma, whereas D2-40 was the most effective antibody for differentiating chordoid meningioma from extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma and chordoma. Our findings demonstrate that in conjunction with clinical and radiographic findings, immunohistochemical evaluation with a panel of D2-40, EMA, brachyury, and GFAP is most useful in distinguishing chordoid meningioma from chordoid glioma, skeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma, extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma, chordoma, low-grade chondrosarcoma, and enchondroma. A lack of strong, diffuse S100 reactivity may also be useful in excluding chordoid meningioma. Among the neoplasms evaluated, brachyury and GFAP proved to be both sensitive and specific markers for chordoma and chordoid glioma, respectively. Of note, this study is the first to characterize the D2-40 immunoprofile in extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma, results that could be of utility in differential diagnostic assessment.

Myxoid chondrosarcoma in the pineal region

The authors report a case of a myxoid chondrosarcoma of the pineal region in a 37-year-old woman who presented with an intratumoral hemorrhage. Partial removal of the tumor in an initial surgery resulted in failure to establish a definitive diagnosis. The residual tumor enlarged after a second intratumoral hemorrhage 14 months after the onset of the first symptoms, and gross-total resection of the tumor was achieved in a second surgery. Histological and immunohistochemical findings after the second surgery were consistent with a diagnosis of myxoid chondrosarcoma. Radical excision of a tumor was considered to play an important role in the management of intracranial myxoid chondrosarcoma.

Jugular foramen chordoid meningioma

Chordoid meningioma (CM) is a rare histological variant of meningioma and is classified as an atypical meningioma on pattern alone. Herein is described the first case of CM occurring in the jugular foramen. The patient was a 45-year-old woman with a 2 year history of progressive right hearing loss. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a large, dumbbell-shaped, homogenously gadolinium-enhanced mass in the right jugular foramen, extending medially to the cerebellopontine angle and caudally into the upper carotid space. Angiographic findings supported a diagnosis of schwannoma. Intraoperatively, the tumor appeared to involve the right glossopharyngeal nerve completely and the vagus nerve incompletely, and was incompletely resected. Microscopically, the tumor consisted predominantly of cords and nests of medium-sized cells with bland cytological features, surrounded by a pale basophilic mucin. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells demonstrated reactivity for epithelial membrane antigen (membranous) and vimentin, with negative staining for S-100 protein, cytokeratin, CD34, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), synaptophysin, and chromogranin A. Based on the chordoid histology, an organoid lobular arrangement of the tumor cells, and the location of the tumor (jugular foramen), the differential diagnosis included not only a chordoma but also a paraganglioma (glomus jugulare tumor). Histological identification of typical meningotheliomatous areas, plus selective immunohistochemical panel, is important to establish the correct diagnosis.

Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma: updated clinicopathological and molecular genetic characteristics

Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma (EMC) is a rare soft-tissue sarcoma characterized by distinctive morphological and cytogenetical features. As its name implies, EMC was believed to represent a variant of soft-tissue chondrosarcoma owing to its histological resemblance to chondroblastic tissue in the early stages of cartilage development or chondroid tumors such as skeletal chondrosarcoma. However, the chondroid nature has been a subject of controversy, and its line of differentiation remains to be determined. Consequently, the tumor is provisionally classified into a group of tumors of uncertain differentiation in the revised World Health Organization classification of tumors of soft tissue and bone. Moreover, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural features of neural or neuroendocrine differentiation have been recently reported in a subset of EMC, providing a new insight into their histogenetic nature. Chromosomal rearrangements involving 9q22, such as t(9;22)(q22;q12), and resultant NR4A3 fusion genes are tumor-type specific or pathognomotic for this entity and are assumed to play an important role in the development of EMC. Although the biological mechanisms and functions are largely unknown, the NR4A3-related pathway is considered a potential molecular target for future therapeutic intervention. Because of its protracted but resilient nature, a tenacious and long-term follow up is necessary for any patient.

Primary extraskeletal osteosarcoma in the pineal region. Case report

Primary extraskeletal osteosarcoma occurring in the brain parenchyma is distinctly uncommon, with only five cases having been reported. The authors describe the case of a 45-year-old man who presented with progressive headache and diplopia. Computerized tomography scanning and magnetic resonance imaging results revealed a pineal region tumor with obstructive hydrocephalus. The patient underwent partial resection of the tumor. The histological examination showed large pleomorphic tumor cells embedded in osteoid matrix. Immunohistochemical analysis was negative for various antibodies and thus excluded a glial, germ cell, epithelial, and lymphoid tumor origin. Only vimentin showed strong positivity in most of the tumor cells. Ultrastructurally, the tumor cells were rich in dilated rough endoplasmic reticula. Clear zones between tumor cells and osteoid matrix were observed. The osteoid matrix was made up of small collagen fibrils and hydroxyapatite deposits. The tumor was not attached to the bone structure of the skull. These findings are consistent with the features of extraskeletal osteosarcoma. Data from complete medical and radiological studies excluded a metastatic origin for this tumor. Partial resection and postoperative radiotherapy had provided tumor control at 11 months after the onset of symptoms. This is the first reported case of a primary extraskeletal osteosarcoma occurring in the pineal region.

Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcomas do not show a chondrocytic phenotype

Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma is a rare mesenchymal soft-tissue malignancy of putative chondrocytic differentiation. Occasional overt cartilage formation, positivity for S-100 protein, and ultrastructural analysis have supported this view. However, most extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcomas do not show chondroid tissue formation, and S-100 protein is found much less commonly than has been reported. Both these observations cast doubt on the histogenetic classification of extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma as a chondroblastic entity. Mostly using matrix proteins as markers of mesenchymal cell differentiation, we investigated the biochemical matrix composition and cellular phenotype of the tumor cells in representative specimens from 14 extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcomas. In all but one tumor specimen, which showed histomorphologically overt cartilage formation, only occasional staining for the proteoglycan aggrecan was found. Specimens from two tumors showed presence of collagen type II, and none was positive for collagen type X. Instead, collagen types I, III, and VI were diffusely positive. Also, S-100 protein was largely absent. Our results suggest that the basic cellular phenotype of extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma is not chondrocytic or prechondrocytic and that extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma is not a chondrosarcomatous entity. Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma consists most likely of primitive mesenchymal cells with focal, multidirectional differentiation. Chondrocytic differentiation is an unusual facet in the spectrum of differentiation patterns exhibited by these lesions.

Omental malignant fibrous histiocytoma with a unique rough endoplasmic reticulum inclusion

The laminated inclusions in the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) are peculiar structures seen only in some cases of chondrocytes of pseudoachondroplasia. These ultrastructurally unique organelles have not yet been reported in inflammatory malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH). We describe an omental mass showing unique laminated inclusions in the RER in a young man with intra-abdominal inflammatory MFH. The most striking ultrastructural feature was a dilated RER containing a fine granular substance and a more electron-dense material exhibiting an onion skin-like lamellated or maze-like pattern, mimicking that of so-called laminated inclusions. These lamellated inclusions occupied most of the cytoplasm of the tumor cells. We speculate that the ultrastructural finding of the laminated RER inclusion is not specific for cartilage cells, but may represent abnormal accumulation of some kind of glycoprotein material or matrix protein. This granular material may undergo organization to form a peculiar laminated structure, probably due to a metabolic or fixation process. Further study is needed to elucidate the nature of this material.

Primary sarcomas of the brain and spinal cord: a study of 18 cases

Primary sarcomas of the central nervous system are exceedingly rare. We reviewed the clinicopathologic features of 18 primary central nervous system sarcomas diagnosed from 1959 through 1999. Median age at diagnosis of the nine female and nine male patients was 28 years (range 3-63 years). Median tumor size was 4 cm (range 1.3-8 cm). Fifteen tumors arose in the cerebrum (83%), two in the cerebellum, and one in the spinal cord. Histopathologically, the most common tumor types included fibrosarcoma (six), malignant fibrous histiocytoma (five), and undifferentiated sarcoma (three). Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies supported the histologic diagnosis in 17 and six cases, respectively. All patients had subtotal to gross total tumor resection; 16 also received radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. Twelve tumors (67%) were high-grade. Follow-up was obtained in all instances (median 2.3 years). Nine patients died of the disease, eight with high-grade tumors. Survival at 5 years for patients with high-grade tumors was 28% compared with 83% for those with low-grade neoplasms (p = 0.03). Primary central nervous system sarcomas most often affect young and middle-aged adults. Most involve the cerebrum and show fibrous, "fibrohistiocytic," or no specific differentiation. The prognosis for high-grade sarcomas seems better than that for glioblastoma multiforme.

Intracranial chondrosarcoma: review of the literature and report of 15 cases

The available data in the literature (177 cases), two current clinical patients, and cases which occurred in The Netherlands (13) were reviewed concerning the clinical presentation, pathological features, radiological data, and treatment options of chondrosarcoma of the cranial base. The mean age of patients was 37 years, the male/female ratio 1:1.1. The most frequent complaints were diplopia with oculomotor disorders (51%), headache (31%), and decreased hearing, dizziness, and tinnitus with statoacusticus dysfunction (21%). The mean duration of symptoms before diagnosis was 27 months. The chondrosarcomas were located in the petrosal bone in 37% (47 cases), in the occipital bone and clivus in 23% (30 cases), in the sphenoid bone in 20% (25 cases) and to a lesser extent in frontal, ethmoidal, and parietal bones (14%). In 6% (eight cases) the primary location was in dural tissue. Radiological examinations showed bone destruction and variable calcification (CT), involvement of neuronal and vascular structures (MRI), and mostly hypovascularity on angiography. On histological examination 51% of tumours were classified as grade I, 11% grade II, 30% mesenchymal, and 8% myxoid. The mesenchymal type was the most malignant as illustrated by a strong tendency to intradural and cerebral growth and possibly occurrence in younger age groups. The treatment of choice until recently was surgery because of the critical location and local aggressive nature. Regrowth of tumour after surgery occurred in 53% of the patients (average after 32 months). Charged particle irradiation gave a five year survival of 83-94% and a local control rate of 78%-91%. Both in surgery and radiotherapy there is treatment related morbidity and mortality that should be considered when offering these therapies. Recent promising results imply that charged particle radiotherapy, in combination with surgery, may be the therapeutical choice of the future.