Sentinel node biopsy for clear cell sarcoma

Navigating diagnostic challenges-distinguishing malignant melanoma and clear cell sarcoma of soft tissues: a case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Within the spectrum of melanocytic-differentiated tumors, the challenge faced by pathologists is discerning accurate diagnoses, with clear cell sarcoma of soft tissues standing out as a rare and aggressive neoplasm originating from the neural crest. Accounting for 1% of all soft tissue sarcomas, clear cell sarcoma of soft tissues poses diagnostic complexities, often misidentified owing to its phenotypic resemblance to malignant melanoma. This chapter delves into the intricacies of clear cell sarcoma of soft tissues, its epidemiology, characteristic manifestations, and the imperative need for a comprehensive diagnostic approach involving immunohistochemical and molecular analyses.

CASE PRESENTATION

A compelling case unfolds as a 25-year-old male from Morocco, initially misdiagnosed with malignant melanoma, experiences tumor recurrence on the second toe. With no history of trauma or familial neoplasia, the patient's clinical journey is explored, emphasizing the importance of detailed clinical examinations and radiological assessments. The chapter elucidates the histopathological findings, immunohistochemical spectrum, and the correlation between clinical parameters and diagnostic inference, ultimately leading to metatarsal amputation. This clinical vignette highlights the multidimensional diagnostic process in soft tissue neoplasms, emphasizing the synergistic role of clinical, radiological, and histopathological insights.

CONCLUSION

The diagnostic challenges inherent in melanocytic-differentiated tumors, exemplified by the rarity of soft tissue clear cell sarcoma, underscore the essential role of an integrated diagnostic approach. This concluding chapter emphasizes the perpetual collaboration required across pathology, clinical medicine, and radiology for nuanced diagnostic precision and tailored therapeutic strategies. The rarity of these soft tissue malignancies necessitates ongoing interdisciplinary engagement, ensuring the optimization of prognosis and treatment modalities through a comprehensive understanding of the diagnostic intricacies presented by clear cell sarcoma of soft tissues.

Clear cell sarcoma in the post-molar area: Report of an ultra-rare case and literature review of oral clear cell sarcoma

BACKGROUND

Clear cell sarcoma of soft tissue is an exceptionally rare sarcoma. It is even rarer in the oral cavity. To our knowledge, this case is the first reported clear cell sarcoma involving the post-molar area. Pathologically, clear cell sarcoma has low mitotic activity, rare nuclear pleomorphism, and necrosis. Its biological behavior is often underestimated by morphology. It is a highly aggressive tumor.

CASE REPORT

A 39-year-old female presented with an asymptomatic mass in the post-molar area. It was mistaken for a benign or low-grade malignant tumor based on frozen incisional biopsy samples. The surgical resection sample was tested by NGS, which detected a rare EWSR1::CREB1 in clear cell sarcoma. The final diagnosis was made by combining morphological, immunohistochemical, and molecular test results. The patient did not receive any adjuvant therapy after surgery and no recurrence of the disease was detected at 8 months of follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The study highlights that mild histological manifestation in the oral cavity should be considered the possibility of CCS affecting young patients. Careful histological investigation, sufficient immunohistochemical staining, and molecular tests are essential to the diagnosis.

Factors associated with survival in patients with clear cell sarcoma

Aims

Clear cell sarcoma (CCS) of soft-tissue is a rare melanocytic subtype of mesenchymal malignancy. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and therapeutic factors associated with increased survival, stratified by clinical stage, in order to determine the optimal treatment.

Methods

The study was a retrospective analysis involving 117 patients with histologically confirmed CCS, between July 2016 and November 2017, who were enrolled in the Bone and Soft Tissue Tumour Registry in Japan.

Results

The five- and ten-year survival rates were 41% (95% confidence interval (CI) 29 to 52) and 37% (95% CI 25 to 49), respectively. On multivariable analysis, the size of the tumour of > 10 cm (p = 0.006), lymph node metastasis at the time of diagnosis (p < 0.001), distant metastases at the time of diagnosis (p < 0.001), and no surgery for the primary tumour (p = 0.019) were independently associated with a poor survival. For N0M0 CCS (n = 68), the development of distant metastases was an independent prognostic factor for survival (early (< 12 months), hazard ratio (HR) 116.78 (95% CI 11.69 to 1,166.50); p < 0.001; late (> 12 months), HR 14.79 (95% CI 1.66 to 131.63); p = 0.016); neoadjuvant/adjuvant chemotherapy (p = 0.895) and/or radiotherapy (p = 0.216) were not significantly associated with survival. The five-year cumulative incidence of local recurrence was 19% (95% CI 8 to 35) and the size of the tumour was significantly associated with an increased rate of local recurrence (p = 0.012). For N1M0 CCS (n = 18), the risk of mortality was significantly lower in patients who underwent surgery for both the primary tumour and lymph node metastases (HR 0.03 (95% CI 0.00 to 0.56); p = 0.020). For M1 CCS (n = 31), excision of the primary tumour was independently associated with better survival (HR 0.26 (95% CI 0.09 to 0.76); p = 0.013). There was no significant difference in survival between the different types of systemic treatment (p = 0.523).

Conclusion

Complete excision of the primary tumour and lymph nodes is associated with a better survival in patients with CCS. Systemic treatment appears to provide limited benefits, demonstrating a pressing need for novel systemic agents.

The current management of clear cell sarcoma

Clear cell sarcoma (CCS) is a rare melanocytic soft tissue sarcoma with a high propensity for lymphatic metastasis and poor prognosis. It is characterized by the translocation of t (12;22), resulting in the rearrangement of the EWSR1 gene and overexpression of MET. Despite improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of soft tissue sarcomas, the management of CCSs remains challenging owing to their rarity, unique biological behaviour and limited understanding of their molecular pathogenesis. The standard treatment for localized CCSs is surgical excision with negative margins. However, there is an ongoing debate regarding the role of adjuvant chemotherapy, radiotherapy and lymphadenectomy in the management of this disease. CCSs are usually resistant to conventional chemotherapy. Targeted therapies, such as sunitinib and MET inhibitors, may provide promising results. Immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors, is currently under investigation as a potential treatment option for CCSs. Further research is needed to better understand the biology of CCSs and develop effective therapeutic strategies. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of current knowledge and advances in the diagnosis and treatment of CCSs.

Gene fusions in superficial mesenchymal neoplasms: Emerging entities and useful diagnostic adjuncts

Cutaneous mesenchymal neoplasms are diagnostically challenging because of their overlapping morphology, and, often, the limited tissue in skin biopsy specimens. Molecular and cytogenetic techniques have identified characteristic gene fusions in many of these tumor types, findings that have expanded our understanding of disease pathogenesis and motivated development of useful ancillary diagnostic tools. Here, we provide an update of new findings in tumor types that can occur in the skin and superficial subcutis, including dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, benign fibrous histiocytoma, epithelioid fibrous histiocytoma, angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma, glomus tumor, myopericytoma/myofibroma, non-neural granular cell tumor, CIC-rearranged sarcoma, hybrid schwannoma/perineurioma, and clear cell sarcoma. We also discuss recently described and emerging tumor types that can occur in superficial locations and that harbor gene fusions, including nested glomoid neoplasm with GLI1 alterations, clear cell tumor with melanocytic differentiation and ACTIN::MITF translocation, melanocytic tumor with CRTC1::TRIM11 fusion, EWSR1::SMAD3-rearranged fibroblastic tumor, PLAG1-rearranged fibroblastic tumor, and superficial ALK-rearranged myxoid spindle cell neoplasm. When possible, we discuss how fusion events mediate the pathogenesis of these tumor types, and we also discuss the related diagnostic and therapeutic implications of these events.

Clear cell sarcoma: state-of-the art and perspectives

INTRODUCTION

Clear cell sarcoma (CCS) is an ultrarare soft tissue sarcoma (STS) with a poor prognosis due to its propensity to metastasize and its low chemosensitivity. The standard treatment of localized CCS consists of wide surgical excision with or without additive radiotherapy. However, unresectable CCS is generally treated with conventional systemic therapies available for treatment of STS despite the weak scientific evidence to support its use.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, we discuss the clinicopathologic characteristics of CSS, as well as the current treatment landscape and future therapeutic approaches.

EXPERT OPINION

The current treatment strategy of advanced CCSs, based on STSs regimens, shows a lack of effective options. Combination therapiesin particular, the association of immunotherapy and TKIs, represent a promising approach. Translational studies are needed in order to decipher the regulatory mechanisms involved in the oncogenesis of this ultrarare sarcoma and identify potential molecular targets.

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for Extremity and Truncal Soft Tissue Sarcomas: A Systematic Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND

Regional lymph node metastasis (RLNM) occurs infrequently in patients with soft tissue sarcoma (STS), although certain STS subtypes have a higher propensity for RLNM. The identification of RLNM has significant implications for staging and prognosis; however, the precise impact of node-positive disease on patient survival remains a topic of controversy. Although the benefits of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) are well documented in patients with melanoma and breast cancer, whether this procedure offers a benefit in STS is controversial.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was performed and articles reviewed to determine if SLNB in patients with extremity/truncal STS impacts disease-free or overall survival.

RESULTS

Six studies were included. Rates of sentinel lymph node positivity were heterogeneous (range 4.3-50%). The impact of SLNB on patient outcomes remains unclear. The overall quality of available evidence was low, as assessed by the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system.

CONCLUSIONS

The literature addressing the impact of nodal basin evaluation on the staging and management of patients with extremity/truncal STS is confounded by heterogeneous patient cohorts and clinical practices. Multicenter prospective studies are warranted to determine the true incidence of RLNM and whether SLNB could benefit patients with clinically occult RLNM at diagnosis.

Primary Cutaneous Clear Cell Sarcoma, Clinical Outcome With Sentinel Lymph Nodes Status

OBJECTIVES

Primary cutaneous clear cell sarcoma (PCS) is a rare malignancy and difficult to differentiate from melanoma. We investigated factors influencing survival and recurrence.

METHODS

An institutional cancer registry and literature search were used for a retrospective study. Only clear cell sarcoma cases with a primary site of skin and subcutaneous tissue were included. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were used to assess survival time and hazard ratios.

RESULTS

Three eligible cases were identified at our institution. In addition, the PubMed and Google Scholar reviews identified 1,878 items, with 23 patients with PCS. The median age was 25 years with 62% female. The tumors ranged in size from 0.4 to 4.5 cm. Cytogenetics showed t(12;22)(q13;q12) in all cases and a unique variant of t(2;22)(q32.3;q12) in one case. Surgery was the most common treatment, followed by chemotherapy/radiation. PCS recurred in 46% of patients with a median relapse-free survival time of 15 months. Only two known PCS-related mortalities were recorded, at 38 and 60 months following initial diagnosis. Smaller tumor size and negative sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) status were significantly associated with a better disease-free survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Tumor size and SLNB status influence PCS survival and recurrence. More research is needed due to the rarity of this disease.

Clear cell sarcoma-A review

Clear cell sarcoma (CCS) previously known as malignant melanoma (MM) of the soft tissue, although, similar in morphology to MM, contemporary histopathologic and cytogenetic techniques have made this diagnosis obsolete, as it is now possible to distinguish between CCS and MM. CCS is often diagnosed in young adults with median age of 25 years. Overall mortality is generally poor, and the 5-year survival is between 40 and 60%. Hence, early diagnosis and radical surgery are key in the treatment of this extremely rare malignancy of the soft tissue comprising only about 1% of all sarcomas. This article present an overview of this rare malignancy.

[Soft tissue melanoma: a clinical case]

Le mélanome des tissus mous a été décrit en 1965 par Enzinger sous le nom de sarcome à cellules claires. En 1983, Chung et Enzinger le rebaptisent mélanome des parties molles en raison de similitudes immunohistochimiques avec le mélanome. Nous rapportons un cas de cette forme rare de mélanome, chez un jeune homme de 22 ans qui avait une lésion molluscoïde de la cheville sans signes cliniques de malignité, et dont l’examen histologique a permis de retenir ce diagnostic.

Non-antiepileptic drugs for trigeminal neuralgia

BACKGROUND

Trigeminal neuralgia was defined by the International Association for the Study of Pain as a sudden, usually unilateral, severe, brief, stabbing recurrent pain in the distribution of one or more branches of the fifth cranial nerve. Standard treatment is with anti-epileptic drugs. Non-antiepileptic drugs have been used in the management of trigeminal neuralgia since the 1970s. This is an update of a review first published in 2006 and previously updated in 2011.

OBJECTIVES

To systematically review the efficacy and tolerability of non-antiepileptic drugs for trigeminal neuralgia.

SEARCH METHODS

On 20 May 2013, for this updated review, we searched the Cochrane Neuromuscular Disease Group Specialized Register, CENTRAL (2013, Issue 4), MEDLINE (January 1966 to May 2013), EMBASE (January 1980 to May 2013), LILACS (January 1982 to May 2013) and the Chinese Biomedical Retrieval System (1978 to May 2013). We searched clinical trials registries for ongoing trials.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included double-blind, randomised controlled trials in which the active drug was used either alone or in combination with other non-antiepileptic drugs for at least two weeks.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors decided which trials fitted the inclusion criteria and independently graded risk of bias. We assessed the quality of the evidence according to the GRADE criteria for this update.

MAIN RESULTS

In this 2013 update, we updated the searches, but identified only two new ongoing studies. The review includes four trials involving 139 participants. The primary outcome measure in each was pain relief. Three trials compared one of the oral non-antiepileptic drugs tizanidine, tocainide or pimozide with carbamazepine. The quality of evidence for all outcomes for which data were available was low. In a trial of tizanidine involving 12 participants (one dropped out due to unrelated disease), one of five participants treated with tizanidine and four of six treated with carbamazepine improved (risk ratio (RR) 0.30, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.05 to 1.89). Few side effects were noted with tizanidine. For pimozide, there was evidence of greater efficacy than carbamazepine at six weeks. Up to 83% of participants reported adverse effects but these did not lead to withdrawal; the report did not provide comparable data for carbamazepine. Limited data meant that we could not assess the effects of tocainide; however, data from non-randomised studies (not included in this review) indicate that serious haematological adverse events can occur. A trial involving 47 participants compared 0.5% proparacaine hydrochloride eyedrops with placebo but did not show any significant benefits, again according to low-quality evidence. The report did not mention adverse events. The proparacaine trial was at low risk of bias; the other trials were at unclear risk of bias overall.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is low-quality evidence that the effect of tizanidine is not significantly different than that of carbamazepine in treating trigeminal neuralgia. Pimozide is more effective than carbamazepine, although the evidence is of low quality and the data did not allow comparison of adverse event rates. There is also low-quality evidence that 0.5% proparacaine hydrochloride eye drops have no benefit over placebo. Limitations in the data for tocainide prevent any conclusions being drawn. There is insufficient evidence from randomised controlled trials to show significant benefit from non-antiepileptic drugs in trigeminal neuralgia. More research is needed.

Cutaneous neoplasms showing EWSR1 rearrangement

Rearrangements of the EWSR1 gene are found in an increasing number of human neoplasms, including several tumors that can involve the skin: Ewing sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor, angiomatoid (malignant) fibrous histiocytoma, myoepithelioma of soft tissue, and clear cell sarcoma. Although these tumors share this common genetic link, they have very different clinical features, morphology, immunophenotype, and sometimes fusion gene partners; these will be the subjects of this review.

Lymph node metastasis after a soft tissue sarcoma of the leg: a case report and a review of the literature

Introduction. Soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) represent 1 percent of all adult malignancies and sarcomas only rarely spread to the regional lymph nodes. Case Presentation. We present a case of a woman with a dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans and a sarcoma not therwise specified of the lower extremity. The patient had no distant metastasis during follow-up, but did develop a regional lymph nodemetastasis (RLNM) in the groin. We reviewed the literature about RLNM in STSs. Discussion. Reviewing the literature we see that within specific histological types RLNM occurs as often as distant metastasis. Furthermore RLNM occurs in over 10% for specific histological types and in 24% of all patients with a soft tissue sarcoma of the lower extremity. Except for radical lymphadenectomy with a 5-year survival rate of 46% there is no appropriate treatment. Conclusion. The risk for a RLNM in certain histological types and anatomical locations might transcend the risk for a distant lung metastasis.

Clear cell sarcoma of tendons and aponeuroses, and osteoclast-rich tumour of the gastrointestinal tract with features resembling clear cell sarcoma of soft parts: a review and update

Clear cell sarcoma (CCS) is a rare, distinctive soft tissue neoplasm, typically occurring in the distal extremities of young adult patients. Although CCS shows melanocytic differentiation, it is now clear that it is clinicopathologically and genetically distinct from conventional malignant melanoma. The 'osteoclast-rich tumour of the gastrointestinal tract with features resembling clear cell sarcoma of soft parts' is an extraordinarily rare gastrointestinal neoplasm that shares some features of CCS, but differs from it in other ways. The historical, histopathological, ultrastructural, immunohistochemical and genetic aspects of these two tumours are reviewed in this article.

[Clear cell sarcoma of soft tissues: a case report]

Clear cell sarcoma or melanoma of soft tissues is a rare tumor in young adults, mainly located in the extremities. We report a new case observed in a 15-year-old teenager who had injured her left knee 1 month before hospitalization. The patient consulted for deformation of the left knee with pain and limitation in flexion. A CT scan of the knee showed a hypodense mass of the anterior compartment of the left leg. The histological and immunohistochemical study of the biopsy fragment concluded in clear cell sarcoma of the soft tissue. The histogenesis of this tumor continues to be debated and raises diagnostic challenges for the pathologist who must eliminate melanoma metastases, whose prognosis is different.

Chopart's amputation for resection of clear cell sarcoma of the foot: a case report and review of the literature

Clear cell sarcoma (CCS) is a subset of soft tissue sarcoma that occurs mainly in young Caucasians. Although on initial presentation these growths might not appear to be malignant, CCS has a tendency to disseminate to regional lymph nodes and ultimately develop distant metastasis. We report a case of CCS from our institution, discussing the radiological and pathological findings, surgical treatments, and survival prognoses. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of using a Chopart's amputation technique in the resection of CCS of the foot.

LEVEL OF CLINICAL EVIDENCE

4.

Clinical outcomes of molecularly confirmed clear cell sarcoma from a single institution and in comparison with data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results registry

BACKGROUND

The authors compared disease-specific survival (DSS) in stage-specific subgroups of patients with clear cell sarcoma, including those with lymph node metastases (N1M0) and those with distant metastases (N0M1).

METHODS

Clinical data regarding soft tissue sarcoma patients were obtained from The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) (1980-2007) and the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry (1988-2004). When possible, clear cell sarcoma diagnoses were confirmed using fluorescence in situ hybridization or reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Kaplan-Meier estimates were used to calculate DSS, and Cox multivariate analysis was performed to identify prognostic factors.

RESULTS

Fifty-two patients at MDACC and 130 SEER patients were diagnosed with clear cell sarcoma. Five-year DSS for the MDACC and SEER cohorts were 67% and 62%, respectively. Patients with N1M0 and N0M1 disease demonstrated significant differences in 5-year DSS: 74% versus 14% at MDACC (P = .014) and 52% versus 0% in SEER (P = .014). After adjustment, the hazards ratio (HR) for dying was 2.79 for N1M0 disease (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.32-5.91) and 11.37 (95% CI, 5.19-24.91) for N0M1 disease compared with stage II disease (P < .001). Non-Caucasian ethnicity (HR, 3.99; 95% CI, 2.27-6.99 [P < .001]) and truncal tumor site (HR, 2.41; 95% CI, 1.15-5.05 [P = .02]) were also found to be predictors of decreased DSS.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of the current study suggest that patients with N1M0 clear cell sarcoma have 5-year DSS that is more similar to that of patients with stage III than stage IV soft tissue sarcoma.

A comprehensive overview of radioguided surgery using gamma detection probe technology

The concept of radioguided surgery, which was first developed some 60 years ago, involves the use of a radiation detection probe system for the intraoperative detection of radionuclides. The use of gamma detection probe technology in radioguided surgery has tremendously expanded and has evolved into what is now considered an established discipline within the practice of surgery, revolutionizing the surgical management of many malignancies, including breast cancer, melanoma, and colorectal cancer, as well as the surgical management of parathyroid disease. The impact of radioguided surgery on the surgical management of cancer patients includes providing vital and real-time information to the surgeon regarding the location and extent of disease, as well as regarding the assessment of surgical resection margins. Additionally, it has allowed the surgeon to minimize the surgical invasiveness of many diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, while still maintaining maximum benefit to the cancer patient. In the current review, we have attempted to comprehensively evaluate the history, technical aspects, and clinical applications of radioguided surgery using gamma detection probe technology.

Sentinel node biopsy in soft tissue sarcoma

While regional lymphatic spread develops in only 3%-4% of all patients with soft tissue sarcoma, there are several histological subtypes associated with a significantly higher propensity for regional lymph node metastasis. These include clear cell sarcoma, synovial sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and epithelioid sarcoma. To date there is no validated, noninvasive method to assess regional lymph node status. A potentially useful diagnostic tool is lymphatic mapping with sentinel lymph node biopsy, a concept that has revolutionized the treatment of patients with intermediate thickness melanoma and early stage breast cancer. The purpose of this study is to provide an overview of the procedure of sentinel lymph node biopsy and the data available on its application in patients with soft tissue sarcomas.

Lymph node metastases in soft tissue sarcomas: a single center analysis of 1,597 patients

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to examine the clinical course of patients with the rare finding of regional lymph node metastasis (RLNM) from soft tissue sarcoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data from 28 out of 1,597 consecutive soft tissue sarcoma patients with RLNM were from the patients' charts and interviewing patients and general practitioners. Survival, including possible influencing factors, was statistically calculated.

RESULTS

RLNM was seen in 21.4% for epithelioid sarcoma and 17.6% for clear cell sarcoma. All other entities presented RLNM rates below 10%. At follow-up after an average of 9.6 years, only three patients were alive with no evidence of disease. Survival was independent from surgical resection status of the primary tumor and the RLNM as well as from adjuvant radiation and chemotherapy. Tumor entity as well as the length of the time period from primary to RLNM affect survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical treatment as well as radiation and chemotherapy may improve survival in selected cases but probably have their value much more in terms of local disease control and improvement life quality of patients who probably already suffer from an aggressive systemic disease at time of nodal involvement.

Clear cell sarcoma (melanoma of soft parts): The Royal Marsden Hospital experience

INTRODUCTION

Clear cell sarcoma (CCS) is a rare tumour with a propensity for local recurrence and nodal metastasis. About 300 cases have been reported, thus further clarification regarding the course and outcome of the disease is required.

METHODS

Patients with a histopathologic diagnosis of CCS were identified from prospective histopathology and sarcoma databases and supplemented with a retrospective analysis of the patients' hospital records.

RESULTS

Between 1990 and 2005, a total of 72 patients with a diagnosis of CCS were identified, 35 having been referred for management and 37 having been referred for histopathologic opinion. The median age was 39 years (range 5-90 years). Of the 35 patients referred to the Royal Marsden Hospital for management, 23% developed local recurrence or in-transit metastases at a median of 9 months (2-79 months) after resection of the primary, and nodal or distant metastatic disease was seen in 63% after 14 months (range 0-177 months). Five- and 10-year survival were 52% and 25%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

CCS has a number of similarities with melanoma, particularly in its peripheral distribution and propensity for nodal disease. Wide excision with clear margins offers the best chance of cure. Local recurrence and regional metastases are common, and are almost always followed by distant metastases and death.