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

Proximal-type epithelioid sarcoma of the perineum: A case report and literature review

Proximal-type epithelioid sarcoma of the perineum is a rare soft-tissue malignancy, and only 55 cases have been reported in the English literature to date. This tumor has an indetectable early symptom and frequent recurrences. Here, we present the case of a 31-year-old man with proximal-type epithelioid sarcoma of the perineum who underwent wide excision. Further, we reviewed the current literature regarding differential diagnosis and management of this disease.

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.

Proximal-type epithelioid sarcoma of vulva – Case series of a rare tumor

•

Proximal-type Epithelioid sarcoma of the vulva is a rare, aggressive soft tissue neoplasm seen in young and middle-aged females.

•

Biopsy of the lesion with immunohistochemistry aids in diagnosis and differentiating from benign mimics.

•

Loss of INI1 is characteristic and seen in the majority.

•

Surgery is the mainstay of management in localized disease.

•

Recently, Tazemetostat has obtained accelerated FDA approval for use in locally advanced and metastatic settings.

Epithelioid sarcoma (ES) is rare and aggressive soft tissue neoplasm characterized by tumor cells showing epithelioid morphology and immunohistochemically, characteristic loss of INI1/ SMARCB1 in most cases. The proximal-type ES usually involves the deeper soft tissues of the vulva or perineum is an extremely rare entity with diagnostic challenges. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment in localized diseases. Radiation and chemotherapy are used in the advanced and metastatic setting, however, their role in the adjuvant setting is uncertain. Anthracycline and gemcitabine-based chemotherapy are given in metastatic and recurrent tumors. We report 4 cases of ES treated over a period of 6 years at our center. All the cases initially presented at a local hospital with vulvar swelling with a benign mimic (3/4) or squamous cell carcinoma (1/4). The median age of diagnosis was 34 years (range 17–80). The diagnosis was established with epithelioid morphology of tumor cells and immunohistochemically characteristic loss of INI1/SMARCB1 in all cases. 3 cases were treated with upfront surgery and two of them received adjuvant radiotherapy. One case received upfront palliative therapy due to lung metastasis at the time of presentation. On median follow-up of 24 months (2–63), 2 cases were disease-free. One case had a recurrence in the lungs and chest wall after a disease-free interval of 63 months. She underwent surgical excision of metastatic deposits, however developed second lung recurrence after 3 months and is being treated with Adriamycin-based chemotherapy. All patients are alive at the last follow-up.