Uterine sarcoma Part I—Uterine leiomyosarcoma: The Topic Advisory Group systematic review

Comprehensive Review of Uterine Leiomyosarcoma: Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Targeted Therapy

Uterine leiomyosarcoma (uLMS) is the most common subtype of uterine sarcomas. They have a poor prognosis with high rates of recurrence and metastasis. The five-year survival for uLMS patients is between 25 and 76%, with survival rates approaching 10-15% for patients with metastatic disease at the initial diagnosis. Accumulating evidence suggests that several biological pathways are involved in uLMS pathogenesis. Notably, drugs that block abnormal functions of these pathways remarkably improve survival in uLMS patients. However, due to chemotherapy resistance, there remains a need for novel drugs that can target these pathways effectively. In this review article, we provide an overview of the recent progress in ascertaining the biological functions and regulatory mechanisms in uLMS from the perspective of aberrant biological pathways, including DNA repair, immune checkpoint blockade, protein kinase and intracellular signaling pathways, and the hedgehog pathway. We review the emerging role of epigenetics and epitranscriptome in the pathogenesis of uLMS. In addition, we discuss serum markers, artificial intelligence (AI) combined with machine learning, shear wave elastography, current management and medical treatment options, and ongoing clinical trials for patients with uLMS. Comprehensive, integrated, and deeper insights into the pathobiology and underlying molecular mechanisms of uLMS will help develop novel strategies to treat patients with this aggressive tumor.

COL1A1::PDGFB fusion-associated uterine fibrosarcoma: A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Mesenchymal neoplasms of the uterus encompass a diverse group of tumors, with varying characteristics and origins, collectively accounting for 8% of uterine malignancies. The most common variants include uterine leiomyosarcoma, low-grade and high-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma, adenosarcoma, and undifferentiated sarcoma. Clinical presentation is often nonspecific and can lead to delayed diagnosis. Uterine sarcomas are generally aggressive, resulting in poorer prognosis compared to carcinomas. Recent advances in molecular techniques, such as next-generation sequencing (NGS), have led to the identification of new subtypes of uterine sarcomas, including COL1A1::PDGFB fusion-associated fibrosarcoma, which has a specific chromosomal translocation t(17;22)(q22;q13). Imatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), is an effective treatment for dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP), marked by this translocation.

CASE

We present the case of a 42-year-old woman diagnosed with COL1A1::PDGFB fusion-associated uterine fibrosarcoma. The patient underwent total hysterectomy and excision of the tumor, initially misdiagnosed as a low-grade leiomyosarcoma. Subsequent histological examination, immunohistochemistry, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) confirmed the diagnosis. After 10 months, disease recurrence was detected, and Imatinib therapy was initiated at a dose of 400 mg daily. An allergic reaction led to a temporary discontinuation, but upon resumption with appropriate medication, a positive radiological response was observed. The patient achieved a complete remission after 2 years and is still on Imatinib treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

COL1A1::PDGFB fusion-associated uterine fibrosarcoma is an extremely rare mesenchymal neoplasm. In a case we present herein, we treated a patient with imatinib as first-line medical therapy. The patient is currently in complete remission after 37 months from treatment start. To the best of our knowledge, this represents a unique observation. We also provide a detailed literature review of the published cases so far. Prospective case series are needed to further understand the natural history of these tumors and optimize treatment strategies.

Prognostic Impact of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes, Tertiary Lymphoid Structures, and Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Pulmonary Metastases from Uterine Leiomyosarcoma

BACKGROUND

The presence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) in tumor tissue has been related to the prognosis in various malignancies. Meanwhile, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as a systemic inflammation marker also has been associated with the prognosis in them. However, few reports have investigated the relationship between pulmonary metastases from sarcoma and these biomarkers.

METHODS

We retrospectively recruited 102 patients undergoing metastasectomy for pulmonary metastases from uterine leiomyosarcoma at Okayama University Hospital from January 2006 to December 2019. TILs and TLSs were evaluated by immunohistochemical staining of surgically resected specimens of pulmonary metastases using anti-CD3/CD8/CD103/Foxp3/CD20 antibodies. NLR was calculated from the blood examination immediately before the most recent pulmonary metastasectomy. We elucidated the relationship between the prognosis and these factors. Because we considered that the status of tumor tissue and systemic inflammation were equally valuable, we also assessed the impact of the combination of TILs or TLSs and NLR on the prognosis.

RESULTS

As for TILs, CD3-positive cells and CD8-positive cells were correlated with the prognosis. The prognosis was significantly better in patients with CD3-high group, CD8-high group, TLSs-high group, and NLR-low group, respectively. The prognosis of CD8-high/NLR-low group and TLSs-high/NLR-low group was significantly better than that of CD8-low/NLR-high group and TLSs-low/NLR-high group, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

CD3-positive TILs, CD8-positive TILs, TLSs, and NLR are correlated with the prognosis, respectively. The combination of CD8-positive TILs or TLSs and NLR may be the indicators to predict the prognosis of patients with pulmonary metastases from uterine leiomyosarcoma.

Smooth Muscle Tumor of Uncertain Malignant Potential (STUMP): A Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Update

Background and Objectives: The uterine smooth muscle tumors of uncertain malignant potential (STUMP) are tumors with pathological characteristics similar to leiomyosarcoma, but that do not satisfy histological criteria for leiomyoma. These are problematic lesions with intermediate morphologic features; thus, diagnosis and treatment are difficult. This narrative review aims to review data in the literature about STUMPs, particularly focusing on management and therapeutic options and strategies for women who desire to preserve fertility. Material and Methods: authors searched for "uterine smooth muscle tumor of uncertain malignant potential" in PubMed and Scopus databases, from 2000 to March 2023. Pertinent articles were obtained in full-text format and screened for additional references. Only articles in English language were included. Studies including full case description of patients with histopathological diagnosis of STUMP in accordance with Stanford criteria were included. Results: The median age was 43 years old. Symptoms are similar to those of leiomyomas, with a mean diameter of 8.0 cm. Total hysterectomy with or without bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is the standard care for women if fertility desire is satisfied. Myomectomy alone can be considered for young patients. Although these tumors have not a high malignant potential, several studies described recurrence and metastases. Conclusions: STUMPs are complex uterine smooth muscle tumors, with a rare but reasoned clinical-diagnostic management. Considering the high clinical and histological complexity of these tumors, high level of expertise is mandatory.

E7050 Suppresses the Growth of Multidrug-Resistant Human Uterine Sarcoma by Inhibiting Angiogenesis via Targeting of VEGFR2-Mediated Signaling Pathways

E7050 is an inhibitor of VEGFR2 with anti-tumor activity; however, its therapeutic mechanism remains incompletely understood. In the present study, we aim to evaluate the anti-angiogenic activity of E7050 in vitro and in vivo and define the underlying molecular mechanism. It was observed that treatment with E7050 markedly inhibited proliferation, migration, and capillary-like tube formation in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). E7050 exposure in the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) also reduced the amount of neovessel formation in chick embryos. To understand the molecular basis, E7050 was found to suppress the phosphorylation of VEGFR2 and its downstream signaling pathway components, including PLCγ1, FAK, Src, Akt, JNK, and p38 MAPK in VEGF-stimulated HUVECs. Moreover, E7050 suppressed the phosphorylation of VEGFR2, FAK, Src, Akt, JNK, and p38 MAPK in HUVECs exposed to MES-SA/Dx5 cells-derived conditioned medium (CM). The multidrug-resistant human uterine sarcoma xenograft study revealed that E7050 significantly attenuated the growth of MES-SA/Dx5 tumor xenografts, which was associated with inhibition of tumor angiogenesis. E7050 treatment also decreased the expression of CD31 and p-VEGFR2 in MES-SA/Dx5 tumor tissue sections in comparison with the vehicle control. Collectively, E7050 may serve as a potential agent for the treatment of cancer and angiogenesis-related disorders.

Metastatic Uterine Leiomyosarcoma as a Rare and Sinister Cause of Respiratory Distress: A Case Report and Literature Review

Uterine leiomyosarcomas are an extremely rare subtype of uterine malignancy. This is a case report of a 47-year-old woman whose underlying uterine leiomyosarcoma manifested as acute respiratory distress secondary to pulmonary metastases. We highlight that a combination of suggestive imaging features and elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) may prompt its diagnosis, notwithstanding that histological examination of a tissue sample is mandatory for its confirmation. The diagnosis of this condition is arduous for a multitude of reasons, including the insidious clinical course, aggressive nature, and high propensity to metastasize, coupled with a lack of standardised guidelines for its preoperative work-up. These challenges are amplified where resources may be limited, such as in the Caribbean region, where radiographic imaging and treatment options may not always be readily available.

Blockade of c-Met-Mediated Signaling Pathways by E7050 Suppresses Growth and Promotes Apoptosis in Multidrug-Resistant Human Uterine Sarcoma Cells

E7050 is a potent inhibitor of c-Met receptor tyrosine kinase and has potential for cancer therapy. However, the underlying molecular mechanism involved in the anti-cancer property of E7050 has not been fully elucidated. The main objective of this study was to investigate the anti-tumor activity of E7050 in multidrug-resistant human uterine sarcoma MES-SA/Dx5 cells in vitro and in vivo, and to define its mechanisms. Our results revealed that E7050 reduced cell viability of MES-SA/Dx5 cells, which was associated with the induction of apoptosis and S phase cell cycle arrest. Additionally, E7050 treatment significantly upregulated the expression of Bax, cleaved PARP, cleaved caspase-3, p21, p53 and cyclin D1, while it downregulated the expression of survivin and cyclin A. On the other hand, the mechanistic study demonstrated that E7050 inhibited the phosphorylation of c-Met, Src, Akt and p38 in HGF-stimulated MES-SA/Dx5 cells. Further in vivo experiments showed that treatment of athymic nude mice carrying MES-SA/Dx5 xenograft tumors with E7050 remarkably suppressed tumor growth. E7050 treatment also decreased the expression of Ki-67 and p-Met, and increased the expression of cleaved caspase-3 in MES-SA/Dx5 tumor sections. Therefore, E7050 is a promising drug that can be developed for the treatment of multidrug-resistant uterine sarcoma.

New Insights into Hormonal Therapies in Uterine Sarcomas

Simple Summary

Uterine sarcomas are rare mesenchymal malignant cancers, and surgery represents the mainstay of treatment for early-stage disease. In metastatic setting, uterine sarcomas’ treatment includes palliative surgery, a metastases resection, chemotherapy and targeted therapy. Hormonal therapies may also represent an effective option. Frequently, ER and PR are highly expressed in uterine sarcomas patients and they represent a favourable prognostic factor associated with improved overall survival. The scope of the present review is to report the existing evidence and future perspectives on hormonal therapy in uterine sarcomas, with a special focus on aromatase inhibitors, progestins and gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues, in order to clarify their potential role in daily clinical practice.

Abstract

Uterine sarcoma (US) is a rare mesenchymal malignant cancer type, accounting for 3–7% of uterine malignancies. US prognosis is still poor due to high local and distant recurrence rates. As for molecular features, US may present variable oestrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) expressions, mostly depending on histotype and grading. Surgery represents the mainstay of treatment for early-stage disease, while the role of adjuvant chemotherapy or local radiotherapy is still debated and defined on the basis of histotype, tumour grading and stage. In metastatic setting, uterine sarcomas’ treatment includes palliative surgery, a metastases resection, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and targeted therapy. As for the chemotherapy regimen used, drugs that are considered most effective are doxorubicin (combined with ifosfamide or alone), gemcitabine combined with docetaxel and, more recently, trabectedin or pazopanib. Hormonal therapies, including aromatase inhibitors (AIs), progestins and gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues (GnRH-a) may also represent an effective option, in particular for low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (LGESS), due to their favourable toxicity profile and patients’ compliance, while their role is still under investigation in uterine leiomyosarcoma (uLMS), high-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (HGESS), undifferentiated uterine sarcoma (USS) and other rarer US. The present review aims to analyse the existing evidence and future perspectives on hormonal therapies in US, in order to clarify their potential role in daily clinical practice.

Comparing paclitaxel-platinum with ifosfamide-platinum as the front-line chemotherapy for patients with advanced-stage uterine carcinosarcoma

BACKGROUND

Uterine carcinosarcoma (UCS) is a rare but highly lethal disease. Adjuvant chemotherapy is highly recommended for advanced UCS. To date, the standard chemotherapy regimen is still uncertain, although two regimens as paclitaxel-platinum (PP) and ifosfamide-platinum (IP) regimens are most commonly used. The aims of the current study attempt to compare both regimens in the management of advanced UCS patients.

METHODS

We evaluated advanced UCS patients who were treated either with PP or with IP after primary cytoreductive surgery in single institute retrospectively. The clinical-pathological parameters, recurrence, and survival were recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 16 patients were analyzed. Twelve patients received adjuvant PP therapy, and the remaining four patients received IP therapy. The median follow-up time was 28 months, ranging from 3.8 months to 121 months. Disease-related death occurred in 10 patients (62.5%). The median progression-free survival was 4.9 months, ranging from 3.8 months to 36.5 months in IP, and 23.1 months, ranging from 9.3 months to 121 months in PP, with statistically significant difference (p = 0.04). The median overall survival was 9.5 months (ranging from 3.8 months to 36.5 months) and 28.7 months (ranging from 10.3 months to 121 months) in IP and PP, respectively, without statistically significant difference (p = 0.06). Presence of pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenopathy and deep myometrial invasion (>1/2) were associated with worse prognosis by univariate analysis. No prognostic factor could be identified using multivariate analysis model.

CONCLUSION

In the current study, due to extremely little number of subjects enrolled, the advantage of using paclitaxel-platinum regimen in the management of advanced UCS was still unclear, although a certain trend of favoring was supposed. We are looking forward to seeing more studies to identify the approximate regimen in the management of this highly lethal disease.

Postmenopausal Uterine Leiomyomas and Chronic Lymphadenopathy: Exploring Epigenetic Changes and Pathophysiology

Uterine leiomyomas (LM) are tumors arising from the non-neoplastic proliferation of smooth muscle cells within the myometrium. Like benign tumors, LM are not generally spread through the lymphatic system, and therefore should not be associated with lymphadenopathy. Herein, we present a case of a 60-year-old female who presented to the clinic with postmenopausal bleeding in the setting of sonographically evident uterine LM and abdominal lymphadenopathy. A lymph node biopsy revealed plasma cells and an eosinophilic material presumptively diagnosed as amyloid. She then underwent an abdominal hysterectomy for definitive treatment of LM. Surgical pathology confirmed the clinical diagnosis of uterine and cervical leiomyoma. Current literature suggests that genetic and epigenetic abnormalities contribute to the pathogenesis of LM in addition to hormonal signals such as estrogen and progesterone. It is unusual for LM to occur in post-menopausal women due to reduced hormonal influence. Therefore, this case explored an alternative mechanism of tumor proliferation. This case hypothesizes that genetic mutations and epigenetic changes resulting from chronic inflammatory offenses contributed to LM growth and lymphadenopathy.

Using rADioMIcs and machine learning with ultrasonography for the differential diagnosis of myometRiAL tumors (the ADMIRAL pilot study). Radiomics and differential diagnosis of myometrial tumors

OBJECTIVE

To develop and evaluate the performance of a radiomics and machine learning model applied to ultrasound (US) images in predicting the risk of malignancy of a uterine mesenchymal lesion.

METHODS

Single-center retrospective evaluation of consecutive patients who underwent surgery for a malignant uterine mesenchymal lesion (sarcoma) and a control group of patients operated on for a benign uterine mesenchymal lesion (myoma). Radiomics was applied to US preoperative images according to the International Biomarker Standardization Initiative guidelines to create, validate and test a classification model for the differential diagnosis of myometrial tumors. The TRACE4 radiomic platform was used thus obtaining a full-automatic radiomic workflow. Definitive histology was considered as gold standard. Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, AUC and standard deviation of the created classification model were defined.

RESULTS

A total of 70 women with uterine mesenchymal lesions were recruited (20 with histological diagnosis of sarcoma and 50 myomas). Three hundred and nineteen radiomics IBSI-compliant features were extracted and 308 radiomics features were found stable. Different machine learning classifiers were created and the best classification system showed Accuracy 0.85 ± 0.01, Sensitivity 0.80 ± 0.01, Specificity 0.87 ± 0.01, AUC 0.86 ± 0.03.

CONCLUSIONS

Radiomics applied to US images shows a great potential in differential diagnosis of mesenchymal tumors, thus representing an interesting decision support tool for the gynecologist oncologist in an area often characterized by uncertainty.

Metastatic endometrial stromal sarcoma: A rare cause of right-sided intracardiac mass

The endometrial stromal sarcoma (EES) is a rare uterine malignancy and its intracardiac metastasis are exceedingly rare. We report a case of a 53-year-old female patient diagnosed with a metastatic tumor of a ESS in the right side of the heart, who underwent successful surgical resection and initiated chemotherapy with docetaxel and gemcitabine. At a 9-month follow-up, the patient was in New York Heart Association-Class I, without any further complications.

The mutational repertoire of uterine sarcomas and carcinosarcomas in a Brazilian cohort: A preliminary study

OBJECTIVES

The present study aimed to contribute to the catalog of genetic mutations involved in the carcinogenic processes of uterine sarcomas (USs) and carcinosarcomas (UCSs), which may assist in the accurate diagnosis of, and selection of treatment regimens for, these conditions.

METHODS

We performed gene-targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) of 409 cancer-related genes in 15 US (7 uterine leiomyosarcoma [ULMS], 7 endometrial stromal sarcoma [ESS], 1 adenosarcoma [ADS]), 5 UCS, and 3 uterine leiomyoma (ULM) samples. Quality, frequency, and functional filters were applied to select putative somatic variants.

RESULTS

Among the 23 samples evaluated in this study, 42 loss-of-function (LOF) mutations and 111 missense mutations were detected, with a total of 153 mutations. Among them, 66 mutations were observed in the Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer (COSMIC) database. TP53 (48%), ATM (22%), and PIK3CA (17%) were the most frequently mutated genes. With respect to specific tumor subtypes, ESS showed mutations in the PDE4DIP, IGTA10, and DST genes, UCS exhibited mutations in ERBB4, and ULMS showed exclusive alterations in NOTCH2 and HER2. Mutations in the KMT2A gene were observed exclusively in ULM and ULMS. In silico pathway analyses demonstrated that many genes mutated in ULMS and ESS have functions associated with the cellular response to hypoxia and cellular response to peptide hormone stimulus. In UCS and ADS, genes with most alterations have functions associated with phosphatidylinositol kinase activity and glycerophospholipid metabolic process.

CONCLUSION

This preliminary study observed pathogenic mutations in US and UCS samples. Further studies with a larger cohort and functional analyses will foster the development of a precision medicine-based approach for the treatment of US and UCS.

Uterine fibroids in menopause and perimenopause

Uterine fibroids (UFs) are benign tumors that arise from a single genetically altered mesenchymal stem cell under the influence of gonadal hormones. UFs are the most common benign gynecologic tumors in premenopausal women worldwide. It is estimated that nearly 70% to 80% of women will develop UFs at some point during their lifetime. UFs often present with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), pelvic fullness, and may have deleterious effects on fertility. The natural regression of UFs begins in menopause. This is, however, a generality as this pathology may still be present in this age group. Many clinicians are concerned about hormone therapy (HT) because of UFs regrowth; nevertheless, research of this subject remains inconclusive. If UFs are present in perimenopause or menopause, they typically manifest as AUB, which represents up to 70% of all gynecological consultations in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. As AUB is a broad symptom and may not be specific to UFs, a thorough evaluation is required for correct diagnosis and proper treatment accordingly. Understanding the unique characteristics of the available treatment modalities is crucial in deciding the appropriate treatment approach. Decision on treatment modality should be made based on selection of the least morbidity and lowest risk for each patient. Multiple modalities are available; however, surgery remains the method of choice, with the best cure rates. Various attempts to create an inexpensive, safe, and effective drug for the treatments of UFs are still in the early stages of the clinical trials with some showing great promise. Treatment options include tibolone, aromatase inhibitors, selective estrogen receptor modulators, uterine artery embolization, and selective progesterone receptor modulators.

Developing a Preoperative Algorithm for the Diagnosis of Uterine Leiomyosarcoma

Early diagnosis of the rare and life-threatening uterine leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is essential for prompt treatment, to improve survival. Preoperative distinction of LMS from benign leiomyoma remains a challenge, and thus LMS is often diagnosed post-operatively. This retrospective observational study evaluated the predictive diagnostic utility of 32 preoperative variables in 190 women who underwent a hysterectomy, with a postoperative diagnosis of leiomyoma (n = 159) or LMS (n = 31), at the Liverpool Women’s National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust, between 2010 and 2019. A total of 7 preoperative variables were associated with increased odds of LMS, including postmenopausal status (p < 0.001, OR 3.08), symptoms of pressure (p = 0.002, OR 2.7), postmenopausal bleeding (p = 0.001, OR 5.01), neutrophil count ≥7.5 × 10⁹/L (p < 0.001, OR 5.72), haemoglobin level <118 g/L (p = 0.037, OR 2.22), endometrial biopsy results of cellular atypia or neoplasia (p = 0.001, OR 9.6), and a mass size of ≥10 cm on radiological imaging (p < 0.0001, OR 8.52). This study has identified readily available and easily identifiable preoperative clinical variables that can be implemented into clinical practice to discern those with high risk of LMS, for further specialist investigations in women presenting with symptoms of leiomyoma.

COL1A1-PDGFB fusion uterine fibrosarcoma: A case report with treatment implication

COL1A1-PDGFB gene fusion associated uterine sarcoma, so called dermatofibrosarcoma-like tumor, a recently reported entity in the uterine corpus, morphologically appears as high grade sarcoma with some features of dermatofibrosarcoma. So far only one other case has been reported in the uterine corpus and two in the uterine cervix. Identification of this gene fusion allows greater choice of targeted therapy in these patients. All the reported cases in the mullerian system are found to be CD34 positive by immunohistochemistry, a commonly used antibody in most immunohistochemistry laboratories. We would, therefore, propose routine CD34 immunohistochemical staining in all high grade uterine sarcomas which have failed other common immunohistochemical markers.

Imaging in gynecological disease (15): clinical and ultrasound characteristics of uterine sarcoma

OBJECTIVE

To describe the clinical and ultrasound characteristics of uterine sarcomas.

METHODS

This was a retrospective multicenter study. From the databases of 13 ultrasound centers, we identified patients with a histological diagnosis of uterine sarcoma with available ultrasound reports and ultrasound images who had undergone preoperative ultrasound examination between 1996 and 2016. As the first step, each author collected information from the original ultrasound reports from his/her own center on predefined ultrasound features of the tumors and by reviewing the ultrasound images to identify information on variables not described in the original report. As the second step, 16 ultrasound examiners reviewed the images electronically in a consensus meeting and described them using predetermined terminology.

RESULTS

We identified 116 patients with leiomyosarcoma, 48 with endometrial stromal sarcoma and 31 with undifferentiated endometrial sarcoma. Median age of the patients was 56 years (range, 26-86 years). Most patients were symptomatic at diagnosis (164/183 (89.6%)), the most frequent presenting symptom being abnormal vaginal bleeding (91/183 (49.7%)). Patients with endometrial stromal sarcoma were younger than those with leiomyosarcoma and undifferentiated endometrial sarcoma (median age, 46 years vs 57 and 60 years, respectively). According to the assessment by the original ultrasound examiners, the median diameter of the largest tumor was 91 mm (range, 7-321 mm). Visible normal myometrium was reported in 149/195 (76.4%) cases, and 80.0% (156/195) of lesions were solitary. Most sarcomas (155/195 (79.5%)) were solid masses (> 80% solid tissue), and most manifested inhomogeneous echogenicity of the solid tissue (151/195 (77.4%)); one sarcoma was multilocular without solid components. Cystic areas were described in 87/195 (44.6%) tumors and most cyst cavities had irregular walls (67/87 (77.0%)). Internal shadowing was observed in 42/192 (21.9%) sarcomas and fan-shaped shadowing in 4/192 (2.1%). Moderate or rich vascularization was found on color-Doppler examination in 127/187 (67.9%) cases. In 153/195 (78.5%) sarcomas, the original ultrasound examiner suspected malignancy. Though there were some differences, the results of the first and second steps of the analysis were broadly similar.

CONCLUSIONS

Uterine sarcomas typically appear as solid masses with inhomogeneous echogenicity, sometimes with irregular cystic areas but only very occasionally with fan-shaped shadowing. Most are moderately or very well vascularized. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Hormonal therapy in uterine sarcomas

Uterine sarcomas (USs) are a group of rare but aggressive uterine malignancies, accounting for only 1% of the malignant tumors of female reproductive organs. Due to the high rate of recurrence and metastasis, the prognosis of USs is poor. Given the high mortality rate and limited clinical benefit of surgery and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy, hormonal therapy has shown good prospects in recent years. Hormonal agents include progestins, aromatase inhibitors (AIs), and gonadotropin‐releasing hormone analogue (GnRH‐a). According to the literature, hormonal therapy has been confirmed effective for recurrent, metastatic or unresectable low‐grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (LGESS) and hormone receptor positive (ER+/PR+) uterine leiomyosarcoma (uLMS) with favorable tolerance and compliance. Besides, hormonal therapy can also be used in patients with early‐staged disease who desire to preserve fertility. However, due to the rarity of USs, the rationale of hormonal therapy is generally extrapolated from data of hormone‐sensitive breast cancer, and present studies of hormonal therapy in USs were almost limited to case reports and small‐sized retrospective studies. Therefore, further systematic researches and standardized clinical trials are needed to establish the optimal hormonal therapy regimen of USs. Herein, we reviewed the existing studies related to the hormonal therapy in USs in order to provide reference for clinical management in specific settings.

Molecular biomarkers for uterine leiomyosarcoma and endometrial stromal sarcoma

Uterine leiomyosarcoma (u‐LMS) and endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS) are among the most frequent soft tissue sarcomas, which, in adults, lead to fatal lung metastases and patients have an extremely poor prognosis. Due to their rarity and heterogeneity, there are no suitable biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis, although some biomarker candidates have appeared. In 2017, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Research Network's work on u‐LMS has confirmed mutations and deletions in RB1,TP53 and PTEN. In addition, whole‐exome sequencing of u‐LMS has confirmed and demonstrated frequent alterations in TP53,RB1, α‐thalassemia/mental retardation syndrome X‐linked (ATRX) and mediator complex subunit 12 (MED12). MED12 is a useful biomarker to diagnose uterine‐derived LMS and tumors arising from (LM) with a relatively favorable prognosis. TP53 and ATRX mutations can be important mechanisms in the pathogenesis of u‐LMS and are correlated with a poor prognosis. In an update based on the 2014 WHO classification, low‐grade ESS is often associated with gene rearrangement bringing about the JAZF 1‐SUZ12 (formerly JAZF1‐JJAZ1) fusion gene, whereas high‐grade ESS is associated with the YWHAE‐NUTM fusion gene. Low‐grade ESS with JAZF1 rearrangement may correlate with metastasis. However, high‐grade ESS with metastasis with YWHAE rearrangement shows a relatively favorable prognosis. The genetic/molecular genetic aberrations in u‐LMS and ESS are reviewed, focusing on molecular biomarkers for these primary and metastatic tumors.

Endometrial stromal sarcoma in combination with mixed type endometrial carcinomas: A case report and literature review

RATIONALE

Endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS) is rare, representing only approximately 0.2% of all uterine malignancies. Mixed type endometrial carcinomas (MT-ECs) are rare tumors with both type I and II features, and are difficult to diagnose. Cases of ESS and MT-ECs coexisting in the same patient are extremely rare. This study aimed to describe a case of ESS in combination with MT-ECs in a 47-year-old premenopausal woman.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A woman presented to the hospital complaining of occasional abdominal pain and had high tumor markers: cancer antigen (CA) 19-9 (263.6 U/mL) and CA 125 (428.0 U/mL). Transvaginal ultrasound examination revealed a complex mass (12.3 × 9.1 × 6.3 cm) with solid and cystic components on the right rear wall of the uterus. Abdominopelvic computed tomography images showed a pelvic cystic-solid mixed mass. The patient underwent an exploratory midline laparotomy. The mass was hypothesized to be malignant on the uterine posterior wall. Tumor deposits were found on bilateral parametrium. On peritoneal implantation, multiple metastases were seen on the serosal surface of the bowel and greater omentum. A frozen section revealed a spindle cell sarcoma.

DIAGNOSES

Pathological reports following surgery revealed concurrent ESS and MT-ECs.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient underwent a total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, total omentectomy, and macroscopic clearance of the tumor. Adjuvant chemotherapy was given.

OUTCOMES

The patient was still alive when this report was written.

LESSONS

Considering the rarity of ESS in combination with MT-ECs, this study presented an overview of the literature and discussed a number of histological and clinical issues. Nevertheless, etiology and pathogenesis of these tumors need further investigation.

Uterine sarcoma Part II-Uterine endometrial stromal sarcoma: The TAG systematic review

Endometrial stromal tumors are rare uterine tumors (<1%). Four main categories include endometrial stromal nodule, low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (LG-ESS), high-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (HG-ESS), and uterine undifferentiated sarcoma (UUS). This review is a series of articles discussing the uterine sarcomas. LG-ESS, a hormone-dependent tumor harboring chromosomal rearrangement, is an indolent tumor with a favorable prognosis, but characterized by late recurrences even in patients with Stage I disease, suggesting the requirement of a long-term follow-up. Patients with HG-ESS, based on the identification of YWHAE-NUTM2A/B (YWHAE-FAM22A/B) gene fusion, typically present with advanced stage diseases and frequently have recurrences, usually within a few years after initial surgery. UUS is, a high-grade sarcoma, extremely rare, lacking a specific line of differentiation, which is a diagnosis of exclusion (the wastebasket category, which fails to fulfill the morphological and immunohistochemical criteria of translocation-positive ESS). Surgery is the main strategy in the management of uterine sarcoma. Due to rarity, complex biological characteristics, and unknown etiology and risk factors of uterine sarcomas, the role of adjuvant therapy is not clear. Only LG-ESS might respond to progestins or aromatase inhibitors.

Uterine sarcoma part III-Targeted therapy: The Taiwan Association of Gynecology (TAG) systematic review

Uterine sarcoma is a very aggressive and highly lethal disease. Even after a comprehensive staging surgery or en block cytoreduction surgery followed by multimodality therapy (often chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy), many patients relapse or present with distant metastases, and finally die of diseases. The worst outcome of uterine sarcomas is partly because of their rarity, unknown etiology, and highly divergent genetic aberration. Uterine sarcomas are often classified into four distinct subtypes, including uterine leiomyosarcoma, low-grade uterine endometrial stromal sarcoma, high-grade uterine endometrial stromal sarcoma, and undifferentiated uterine sarcoma. Currently, evidence from tumor biology found that these tumors showed alternation and/or mutation of genomes and the intracellular signal pathway. In addition, some preclinical studies showed promising results for targeting receptor tyrosine kinase signaling, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin pathway, various kinds of growth factor pathways, Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway, transforming growth factor β/bone morphogenetic protein signal pathway, aurora kinase A, MDM2 proto-oncogene, histone deacetylases, sex hormone receptors, certain types of oncoproteins, and/or loss of tumor suppressor genes. The current review is attempted to summarize the recurrent advance of targeted therapy for uterine sarcomas.