Epithelioid sarcoma of the vulva and its clinical implication: A case report and review of the literature

Clinicopathological Characteristics, Treatment, and Survival in Patients Diagnosed With Proximal-Type Epithelioid Sarcoma: A Case Report and Systematic Review

Epithelioid sarcoma is a rare entity that shows a predilection for the young and middle-aged population. There are two subtypes, i.e., the distal or conventional type, which is located in distal extremities, and the proximal type, located in proximal areas of the extremities, pelvis, perineal, and genital region. The latter is characterized by more aggressive behavior, a higher recurrence rate, and poor prognosis. Histopathological and immunohistochemical diagnoses are key to correct and timely treatment and a higher survival rate. We report a case of a 41-year-old man who presented a palpable progressive growth mass in the hypogastrium. The disease time was of nine months, and the tumor was resected, but it recurred a few months later in the same location. Computed tomography (CT) scans showed images suggestive of lung metastasis and the patient had to undergo a second surgery. He received eight cycles of chemotherapy and a subsequent CT scan control showed the progression of the disease, so a new chemotherapy regimen was established. The patient received three cycles of chemotherapy without improvement, so he decided to discontinue treatment. His last outpatient medical consultation was in January 2022. A systematic review of the studies published in PubMed and Google Scholar was performed. We identified 291 articles, but only 41 reports and case series were included, with a total of 55 patients. It is important to include this type of tumor in the differential diagnosis of epithelial tumors due to its aggressive behavior. Correct and timely diagnosis is crucial to obtain lower recurrence rates, lower mortality, and higher survival rates in these patients.

Successful management of vulvar proximal-type epithelioid sarcoma in pregnancy

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Vulvar proximal-type epithelioid sarcoma during pregnancy is extremely rare.

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Immediate and agressive treatment is essential even in pregnancy, and vulvectomy during pregnancy is considered safe.

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Further reserch is required to discuss about the effectiveness of adjuvant therapy.

Vulvar proximal-type epithelioid sarcoma during pregnancy is extremely rare; only two reports are available to date. Herein, we describe a 36-year-old woman who presented with a pigeon-egg-sized solid mass with cystic component on the left labia majora at 18 weeks of gestation. The patient underwent tumor resection at 23 weeks of gestation and was diagnosed with epithelioid sarcoma, proximal-type. At 29 weeks of gestation, elective cesarean section, radical local resection of the vulva and vagina, and inguinal lymphadenectomy were performed. After surgery, she underwent six courses of adjuvant chemotherapy (doxorubicin 60 mg/m² and cisplatin 50 mg/m²) every four weeks. The patient and her baby survived with neither recurrence nor complications until 5 years. Aggressive management for proximal-type epithelioid sarcoma, such as early termination of pregnancy and operation, can improve maternal outcomes.

Vulvar epithelioid sarcoma: A case report with literature review

OBJECTIVE

To report a case of vulvar epithelioid sarcoma, a rare type of tumor that has been reported in 37 cases in the English literature to date.

CASE REPORT

We report three cases of vulvar epithelioid sarcoma, proximal type. Wide excisions of the mass were performed with margins free of tumor in all three cases.

CONCLUSION

Due to its low incidence, there are no evidence-based diagnostic algorithms or published recommendations for treatment. Locoregional lymph node involvement, vascular invasion, tumor size larger than 2 cm, deep localization, presence of necrosis, and a high mitotic index are known as poor prognostic factors. Adjuvant radiotherapy is advisable in the presence of a high-grade tumor or positive margins. The beneficial effect of adjuvant chemotherapy is not well established. Treatment decisions should be made based on the individual case presentation and pathology evaluation.

A proximal type epithelioid sarcoma of the vulva with multiple distant metastases: A case report and review of the literature

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Epithelioid sarcomas (ESs) are rare and aggressive malignancy of a poor prognosis.

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Radiotherapy may be an alternative treatment to decrease the size of the lesion.

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Targeted therapy with pazopanib may be a treatment option for soft tissue sarcomas.

Epithelioid sarcomas (ESs) of the vulva are extremely rare soft tissue tumors characterized by an aggressive clinical course and a poor prognosis. The proximal type of ES occurs in the trunk and external genital area and has higher recurrence and distant metastasis rates than the distal type, which is found in the upper and lower extremities. We describe a case of a vulvar ES in a 24-year-old patient who was referred from the department of plastic surgery with protruding mushroom-like lesions in multiple areas, including the lower abdomen, whole vulva, anus, and both inguinal lesions. A biopsy of the lesions confirmed a proximal-type ES. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple metastatic lesions in several regions, including the perineum, vagina, and inguinal regions; nodal metastases in the left external iliac and right inguinal region; and distant metastases in the lungs, pleura of the left lung, bones, and soft tissue. The patient underwent active palliative radiotherapy, followed by chemotherapy, and showed a partial response to treatment. Nineteen months after the initial diagnosis, the patient expired due to cancer progression and pneumothorax.

Epithelioid sarcoma of the parapharyngeal space: A case report

Epithelioid sarcoma (ES) was first described by Enzinger in 1970. It is a rare variant of soft tissue sarcoma with a 5-year overall survival (OS) rate of 50%. Here, we reported a case of epithelioid sarcoma in the parapharyngeal space of an adult, resulting in a favorable prognosis after chemotherapy and radiation therapy. A 34-year-old female who complained of pharynx pain and discomfort was suspected of having a tumor in the right parapharyngeal space by CT scan. Excision biopsy suggested epithelioid sarcoma. Clinical and radiological studies did not reveal tumor distant metastasis in the patient. After excisional biopsy, the patient underwent chemotherapy and external beam radiation treatment. She has remained alive for 2 years and 7 months without recurrence since her last treatment. In this paper, we also provide a detailed review of the role of radiotherapy in the treatment of epithelioid sarcoma in previously reported cases.

Mesenchymal lesions of the vulva

Mesenchymal lesions of the vulva include site-specific entities limited to the lower genital tract, as well as a range of non-site-specific tumors that are more common at extragenital sites. Site-specific lesions include fibroepithelial stromal polyp, cellular angiofibroma, angiomyofibroblastoma, and aggressive angiomyxoma. Non-site-specific tumors that may occur in the vulva include those of smooth muscle, skeletal muscle, vascular, neural, adipocytic, and uncertain differentiation. This review discusses both site-specific and non-site-specific vulvar mesenchymal lesions including non-neoplastic proliferations, benign neoplasms, locally aggressive neoplasms with a predilection for local recurrence, neoplasms of indeterminate biologic potential, and frankly malignant neoplasms with a high risk of distant metastasis and death. Accurate diagnosis is essential for proper management, and is facilitated by correlation with clinical findings and targeted application of immunohistochemical and molecular studies.

Epithelioid Sarcoma-From Genetics to Clinical Practice

Epithelioid sarcoma is a mesenchymal soft tissue sarcoma often arising in the extremities, usually in young adults with a pick of incidence at 35 years of age. Epithelioid sarcoma (ES) is characterized by the loss of SMARCB1/INI1 (integrase interactor 1) or other proteins of the SWI/SNF complex. Two distinct types, proximal and distal, with varying biology and treatment outcomes, are distinguished. ES is known for aggressive behavior, including a high recurrence rate and regional lymph node metastases. An optimal long-term management strategy is still to be defined. The best treatment of localized ES is wide surgical resection. Neo-adjuvant or adjuvant radiotherapy may be recommended, as it reduces the local recurrence rate. Sentinel lymph node biopsy should be considered in ES patients. Patients with metastatic ES have a poor prognosis with an expected median overall survival of about a year. Doxorubicin-based regimens are recommended for advanced ES. Tazemetostat, an EZH2 methyltransferase, has shown promising results in ES patients. Novel therapies, including immunotherapy, are still needed.

Long period of relative quiescence in distal-type epithelioid sarcoma of the forearm with recurrence after surgery: A case report

BACKGROUND

Epithelioid sarcoma (ES) is a rare malignant mesenchymal tumor that only accounts for 0.6% to 1.0% of all cases of sarcomas. ES with a relative quiescent state of more than 10 years is extremely rare.Here, we present a rare case of ES in the forearm of a 17-year-old girl. The patient had a congenital mass in her forearm that measured approximately 1cm; it grew rapidly starting 5 years ago. The mass was not treated until last year when she underwent the first surgery. The mass was located in the middle and lower part of the left forearm and involved the dorsal muscle group, intermuscular space, and subcutaneous tissues without clear boundaries.The patient underwent surgery, and the tumor recurred twice within 1 year postoperatively.

METHODS

The tumor samples were examined via hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and immunohistochemistry staining.

RESULTS

Histopathologically, the tumor comprised large polygonal epithelioid cells with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm arranged in cell nests. Central necrosis and focal myxoid change could be seen in the tumor tissues. Immunostaining showed that the tumor cells were positive for CD34, CK, EMA, and vimentin but negative for CD31, S-100, and INI-1.

CONCLUSION

Based on these findings, the tumor was diagnosed as ES of distal form. Distal-type ES could have a long period of relative quiescence, after which it could grow rapidly and relapse multiple times over a short duration.

Myoepithelial carcinoma or epithelioid sarcoma - A rare diagnosis with poor prognosis. A case report and review of literature

INTRODUCTION

Myoepithelial carcinoma and proximal-type epithelioid sarcoma of the vulva are two rare malignancies with known aggressive behavior. In addition to a similar clinical course, these two disease entities also have significant histologic and pathologic overlap. Given the rarity of these malignancies, there is limited literature on the appropriate treatment regimen. Nevertheless, there is a consensus that early surgical resection is beneficial in both cases.

PRESENTATION

We present a case of a patient who was initially diagnosed with myoepithelial carcinoma of the vulva with a differential later expanded to include possible epithelioid sarcoma.

DISCUSSION

We demonstrate the importance in early identification of a SMARCB1 deficiency. Additionally, we suggest an appropriate treatment regimen for these patients going forward. Specifically, we encourage consideration of bilateral superficial and deep inguinal lymphadenectomies. Furthermore, sarcoma based chemotherapy regimens in the appropriate clinical setting may be beneficial in treating SMARCB1 deficient tumors. Additionally, there are now clinical trials involving EZH2 Inhibitors which may offer benefit for similar patients going forward.

CONCLUSION

This case highlights the difficulty in making a definitive diagnosis, and the importance in identifying a SMARCB1 deficiency as it will affect treatment options and may allow for enrollment in ongoing clinical trials.

Retroperitoneal epithelioid sarcoma: A case report

Epithelioid sarcoma (ES), a mesenchymatous malign neoformation, is often diagnosed in later stages and associated with high recurrence index, metastasis and mortality. We report a case of a 65 years old male, with history of abdominal pain and upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Endoscopy demonstrated a posterior duodenal wall perforation communicating with a solid retroperitoneal neoformation. Endoscopic biopsy was performed, with a final report of ES. The patient was submitted for surgical palliation due to the tumor’s unresectability. Retroperitoneal ES is an extremely rare condition with limited reports in the literature where guidelines for its optimal treatment are not well established.