Angiosarcoma of the ovary: clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis of four cases with a broad morphologic spectrum

Angiosarcoma of the ovary treated with polyadenosine ribose polymerase Inhibition, a case report and review of the literature

•Primary angiosarcoma of the ovary historically has no standard treatment due to its rarity, and outcomes have been variable.•Olaparib may represent a viable treatment option for primary angiosarcoma of the ovary with a somatic BRCA mutation.•Next-generation sequencing may play an important component in treatment of very rare cancers to guide new or uncommon therapies.

Anastomosing Hemangioma of the Ovary With Leydig Cell Hyperplasia: A Clinicopathologic Study of 12 Cases

Anastomosing hemangioma is a recently described vascular neoplasm, initially identified in the male genitourinary tract. Since its first description, it has been reported at multiple anatomic sites, including rare cases in the female genital tract, most in the ovary. Herein we report the largest series to date of 12 ovarian anastomosing hemangiomas identified at our institution over a 15-yr period. The patients' age at the time of resection ranged from 50 to 76 yr (median: 62 yr), 3 patients presented with symptomatic pelvic masses, 3 tumors were identified by imaging studies, and the remaining 6 were incidentally discovered in ovaries removed for other indications. All tumors were unilateral, occurred at the ovarian hilum, and contained a vaguely lobulated architecture with sinusoidal-like vessels lined by hobnail endothelial cells with minimal to no cytologic atypia. A rim of luteinized/Leydig cells with abundant, eosinophilic cytoplasm and round, centrally placed nuclei surrounding the hemangioma was present in 9/12 tumors. Reinke crystals were observed in 3 of these 9 tumors. The volume of luteinized cells relative to the vascular proliferation ranged from 2% to 30%. All tumors with luteinized/Leydig cells also displayed numerous small eosinophilic, globular intracytoplasmic inclusions within the endothelial cells. The 3 tumors without luteinized/Leydig cells were exclusively intravascular lesions. Despite the frequent presence of luteinization/Leydig cells none of the patients experienced hormonal manifestations. Awareness of this rare benign ovarian entity is important, as its association with luteinized cells/Leydig cell hyperplasia (often exuberant) may be misinterpreted as a steroid cell tumor, Leydig-cell tumor, or as a mixed stromal-vascular tumor.

Primary ovarian angiosarcoma: a rare and recognizable ovarian tumor

The diagnosis of primary angiosarcoma of ovary is still a challenge as it has no specific clinical symptoms and is easily confused with other malignant neoplasms in morphology. Here, we described a case of primary ovarian angiosarcoma and reviewed the literature. A 47-year-old female showed a left ovary mass. Grossly, the cut surface of the tumor was solid and gray-white with intermediate texture. Some areas were spongy and atropurpureus with a soft texture. Microscopically, the tumor cells were arranged into a variety of different structures with visible hemorrhage. Immunochemically, the tumor cells were positive for CD31, ERG, Fli1, D2-40 and vimentin in a strong and diffused manner. CD34 stain showed focal positivity. Epithelial markers (e.g. CK, CK7, CK8/18 and PAX8) were all negative. Negative immunostaining for SMA, S-100, P53 and calretinin also were detected. The proliferative index (Ki-67) was approximately 40%. After surgery, the patient was treated with radiotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy. In the 9-month follow-up, the patient was survival without evidence of disease. The diagnosis of ovarian angiosarcoma required the careful observation of morphology and the reasonable application of immunohistochemistry. Targeted therapy and immunotherapy are the potential directions for the treatment of angiosarcoma.

Pediatric ovarian angiosarcoma treated with systemic chemotherapy and cytoreductive surgery with heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy: Case report and review of therapy

Ovarian angiosarcoma is a rare and aggressive vascular tumor, which has a 5-year overall survival of less than 30% for patients with nonmetastatic disease and almost certain death within 1 year for those with metastasis. Here, we briefly review historical approaches to therapy and present a long-term survivor in the case of an 11-year-old female with metastatic ovarian angiosarcoma. This is the second reported case to utilize heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy in the treatment of this disease. Our patient is currently alive and well 3 years after initial diagnosis, significantly longer than any reported case of advanced-stage ovarian angiosarcoma.

Pediatric Primary Ovarian Angiosarcoma: From Rarity to a Realization

BACKGROUND

Angiosarcoma is an uncommon high-grade sarcoma in children. Visceral angiosarcoma involving the ovary is extremely rare. Because of the lack of recurrent cytogenetic alterations, histopathological identification of this uncommon tumor in unusual sites like the ovary demands pathologic expertise. Complete surgical resection and radiotherapy are the chief treatment modalities determining survival, with chemotherapy contributing a minor role.

CASE

We discuss a 11-year-old prepubertal girl who presented with primary angiosarcoma of the ovary.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

Early realization of such exceptional presentations of these tumors is needed to achieve the best treatment outcome.

Gemcitabine-based regimen for primary ovarian angiosarcoma with MYC amplification

Angiosarcoma is a rare and aggressive type of sarcoma, and primary angiosarcoma of the ovary is extremely rare. We report the case of a 29-year-old woman who was diagnosed with ovarian angiosarcoma and possible bone metastases. We treated this patient with a gemcitabine-based regimen as postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, after which she achieved at least 7 years of progression-free survival, an extremely long duration given the aggressive features of this tumour. We retrospectively performed immunohistochemical analyses and fluorescence in situ hybridization to make a pathology diagnosis and to investigate the tumour features. MYC amplification and c-Myc protein overexpression were positively detected. It might be possible to correlate the effectiveness of the gemcitabine-based chemotherapeutic regimen with MYC gene amplification and c-Myc protein overexpression.

Angiosarcoma of the oral cavity: a clinicopathological study and a review of the literature

Soft tissue sarcomas are uncommon in the head and neck. Primary angiosarcomas of the oral cavity area are extremely rare, and have mostly been presented as case reports. This paper presents the clinical and histological features of three such cases. All patients were diagnosed based on the presence of rapidly extending masses involving the tongue, maxillary gingiva, or mandibular gingiva; bone destruction was present in two cases. The resected specimens revealed clustered large, pleomorphic, and spindle-shaped cells with a markedly haemorrhagic background. Tumour cells showed expression of vascular endothelial markers, such a CD31, CD34, and factor VIII-related antigen. Despite undergoing radical surgery, distant metastases developed in all three cases. We also studied the clinicopathological features of a series of oral angiosarcomas. This article therefore reports the clinicopathological features of the three new cases and provides a review of the cases of primary oral angiosarcoma reported during the past 20 years.

Ovarian angiosarcoma: a case report and review of the literature

Introduction

Sarcomas of the ovary can either be histologically pure or can represent components of a more complex tumor. Ovarian angiosarcomas are rare, and probably arise from carcinosarcomas, teratomas or the rich ovarian vasculature. To date, only two small case series have been published, one with four cases and the other with seven.

Case presentation

A 41-year-old Saudi woman presented to our gynecological clinic with abnormal vaginal bleeding. The initial clinical diagnosis was left ovarian cyst. The results of the remainder of her abdominopelvic examination were normal. Peri-operatively, the left ovarian mass resembled a hemorrhagic solid tumor. It was sent for frozen sectioning, which revealed it was an undifferentiated neoplasm. The final histopathological examination showed a vascular neoplasm showing vasoformative arborizing channels of variable sizes and shapes lined by atypical endothelial cells with intact capsule. Areas of necrosis were seen, along with fused anastomosing solid vascular area. She was diagnosed as having an angiosarcoma of intermediate grade, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IA.

Conclusions

Patients with ovarian angiosarcomas most commonly present with abdominal pain, however some patients present with distant metastases, often in the lungs. Spread beyond the ovary is present at the time of diagnosis in most reported cases, with disease progression within less than a year after diagnosis. Cases of advanced stage disease behave aggressively and demonstrate poor response to surgery and chemotherapy, with an overall poor prognosis. They have a tendency for local recurrence and metastases, and prognosis is hence poor; the reported five-year survival rate is 10 percent to 35 percent, however, cases confined to the ovary have survived up to nine years.

Angiosarcoma of the Breast with Solitary Metastasis to the Ovary during Pregnancy: An Uncommon Pattern of Metastatic Disease

Primary de novo angiosarcoma of the breast is an uncommon, aggressive neoplasm. Here, we present a case of a young woman who initially developed primary angiosarcoma of the breast, and subsequently angiosarcoma of the ovary during pregnancy two years later. Only two confirmed primary angiosarcomas of the breast metastasizing specifically to the ovary have been described in the literature. However, all previous cases had ovarian metastases at presentation or shortly after initial diagnosis. This case is unusual as it occurred after a relatively long interval, and apparently developed during pregnancy. We discuss this rare phenomenon, as well as the possible factors contributing to the recurrence.

A vinyl chloride-exposed worker with an adrenal gland angiosarcoma: a case report

Adrenal epithelioidangiosarcoma (AEA) is a rare neoplasm that accounts for less than 1% of sarcomas. Due to its rarity, it can easily be misdiagnosed, both by the clinician and the pathologist. Data on the patient's occupational history was collected and analyzed. The bibliographic data was found on the PUBMED bibliographic search site after entering the word "extrahepaticangiosarcoma". We report a case of adrenal epithelioidangiosarcoma (AEA) in a 68 yr-old Caucasian male factory worker exposed to Vinyl Chloride (VC) for 15 yr. He underwent surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Hepatic angiosarcoma is a known consequence of VC exposure, but occupational causality of extra-hepatic angiosarcoma is controversial. Extra-hepatic angiosarcomas have been reported in VC workers, but never AEA. Cancerogenic effects of VC involve all endothelial areas of the body and extra-hepatic endothelial tumors may also be caused by this substance. This is the first published report of AEA diagnosed in a worker exposed to VC.

Small intestine bleeding due to multifocal angiosarcoma

We report a case of an 84-year-old male patient with primary small intestinal angiosarcoma. The patient initially presented with anemia and melena. Consecutive endoscopy revealed no signs of upper or lower active gastrointestinal bleeding. The patient had been diagnosed 3 years previously with an aortic dilation, which was treated with a stent. Computed tomography suggested an aorto-intestinal fistula as the cause of the intestinal bleeding, leading to operative stent explantation and aortic replacement. However, an aorto-intestinal fistula was not found, and the intestinal bleeding did not arrest postoperatively. The constant need for blood transfusions made an exploratory laparotomy imperative, which showed multiple bleeding sites, predominately in the jejunal wall. A distal loop jejunostomy was conducted to contain the small intestinal bleeding and a segmental resection for histological evaluation was performed. The histological analysis revealed a less-differentiated tumor with characteristic CD31, cytokeratin, and vimentin expression, which led to the diagnosis of small intestinal angiosarcoma. Consequently, the infiltrated part of the jejunum was successfully resected in a subsequent operation, and adjuvant chemotherapy with paclitaxel was planned. Angiosarcoma of the small intestine is an extremely rare malignant neoplasm that presents with bleeding and high mortality. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to improve outcome. A small intestinal angiosarcoma is a challenging diagnosis to make because of its rarity, nonspecific symptoms of altered intestinal function, nonspecific abdominal pain, severe melena, and acute abdominal signs. Therefore, a quick clinical and histological diagnosis and decisive measures including surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy should be the aim.

Postirradiation primary vaginal angiosarcoma with widespread intra-abdominal metastasis

We report a primary vaginal angiosarcoma with widespread intra-abdominal metastasis occurring in a 73-yr-old woman 13 yr after vaginal brachytherapy for an endometrial carcinoma. This is an extremely rare phenomenon with only 7 previously reported cases of vaginal angiosarcoma, 5 of which were associated with earlier irradiation. All of the earlier reported cases have been localized to the pelvis without metastatic disease.

Primary angiosarcoma of the ovary with prominent fibrosis of the ovarian stroma. Case report of an 81-year old patient

Primary angiosarcoma of the ovary (AS) is a rare entity with only 31 reported cases. The majority are pure angiosarcomas, the remainder are associated either with teratomas or conventional epithelial tumors. More than 50% of ovarian AS are disseminated at the time of diagnosis, the minority is detected in stage I. The prognosis of ovarian angiosarcoma in general is poor. Most reports refer to younger individuals, aged from 7 to 46 years, and only 2 case reports could be found for patients older than 64 years. Here we present a very unusual case of angiosarcoma in a 81-year-old patient.

Angiosarcoma of the ovary arising in a mucinous cystadenoma

We report the case of a 39-year-old woman who presented with a pelvic mass extending into the upper abdomen. Transabdominal sonography revealed a complex left adnexal mass. Color Doppler imaging and spectral Doppler analysis showed increased vascularity with low impedance blood flow signals, suggestive of neovascularization. The patient underwent a laparotomy and a 56-kg predominantly cystic tumor was removed from the left adnexal region. The patient died 3 months later with pulmonary metastases and massive pulmonary hemorrhage. Postmortem resampling of the ovarian tumor initially diagnosed as mucinous cystadenoma showed nodular areas of malignant pleomorphic cells consistent with angiosarcoma.

Angiosarcoma arising in an ovarian fibroma: a case report

Primary ovarian angiosarcoma is a very rare gynaecological sarcoma, with poor prognosis. These tumors are though to arise from carcinosarcomas, teratomas, or the ovarian vasculature and occur at any age. There are only a few cases reported in the international literature, most commonly associated to surface epithelial-stromal or germ cell tumours. Herein, the authors report the clinicopathologic features of an angiosarcoma arising in an ovarian fibroma. A 65-year-old patient was admitted with a palpable mass in the hypogastrium. Grossly, the removed ovary was completely replaced by a solid tumor mass. On histological analysis, the lesion revealed the typical histological features of angiosarcoma with sinusoidal patterns and anaplastic cells, admixed with spindle-shaped cells arranged in fascicles or in a storiform pattern, compatible with a fibroma. The vascular component was strongly immunopositive for CD31 and CD34. The patient was submitted to chemotherapy, and she was alive for two months after surgical proceedings.

Miscellaneous Pseudotumors and Mesenchymal Tumors of the Female Genital Tract

Benign and malignant soft tissue tumors and pseudotumors can rarely arise anywhere in the female genital tract. Their pathologic features as well as behavior typically overlap with those described in tumors involving typical locations. However, due to their rarity, not infrequently these tumors represent a diagnostic challenge. Their diagnosis should be based on careful gross examination, thorough sampling, and morphologic evaluation, applying a selected immunohistochemical panel and molecular studies. Accurate classification of these tumors is important because their clinical behavior, prognosis, and therapy differ markedly. This article outlines several mesenchymal lesions reported in the female genital tract, encompassing recent histologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular findings, with special emphasis on problems in the differential diagnosis.

Angiosarcoma arising in mature cystic teratoma of the ovary: a case report and review of the literature

Mature cystic teratoma of the ovary is the most common ovarian tumor. Malignant transformation of this neoplasm is rare and is mostly represented by squamous carcinoma. Less frequently, malignant transformation is represented by a sarcoma. To date, only 5 cases of angiosarcoma arising in a mature cystic teratoma of the ovary have been reported. Herein, we report the clinicopathologic features of one such case. A review of the literature is also presented.

Primary angiosarcoma of the thyroid gland with recurrence diagnosed by fine needle aspiration: a case report

Angiosarcoma of the thyroid is a rare and aggressive primary malignant tumor of the thyroid originally reported in patients from the Swiss Alpine region. Diagnosis of this tumor rests mainly on characteristic histopathological features of a malignant vascular tumor supported by immunopositivity for vascular markers e.g., CD31, Factor VIII, and CD34. Its cytological features, however, are not well-defined. We describe a case of primary angiosarcoma of the thyroid in a 48-year-old female, who presented with a rapidly enlarging neck mass associated with compressive symptoms. She had a history of hypothyroidism. The initial fine needle aspiration cytology of the neck mass was negative. She then underwent left hemithyroidectomy. Histologically, the tumor showed poorly differentiated malignant cells with eccentrically-placed nuclei, prominent nucleoli, and intracytoplasmic vacuoles admixed with mixed inflammatory cells. These showed immunopositivity for CD31 but were negative for CD34, Factor VIII, CK5/6, EMA, TTF-1, Thyroglobulin, Calcitonin, Melan A, and Calretinin. A diagnosis of poorly differentiated malignant tumor consistent with angiosarcoma was made. The patient was treated with radiation therapy but developed recurrence of the tumor. Second aspiration cytology of the recurrent tumor yielded hypocellular smears containing singularly dispersed atypical cells having eccentrically-placed nuclei with prominent macronucleoli and intracytoplasmic vacuoles within a background of inflammatory cells, consistent with recurrent angiosarcoma. Chemotherapy was started but she succumbed to the disease 7 months after diagnosis. The cytological, histopathological, immunohistochemical findings, and the clinical course are discussed.

Primary angiosarcoma of the ovary complicated by hemoperitoneum: a case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Sarcomas of the female genital tract are very rare. A small subset of these, primary ovarian angiosarcoma, is even more rare, with only 26 cases reported in the literature. Most cases of advanced-stage disease are aggressive and demonstrate a poor response to both surgery and chemotherapy with an overall poor prognosis.

CASE

We present a case of a previously healthy 67-year-old woman who presented with abdominal pain and profound anemia. She underwent a full staging and optimal debulking that revealed Stage IIIC primary ovarian angiosarcoma. The patient died 3 weeks post-operatively secondary to hemorrhage from progressive, metastatic tumor sites prior to initiation of chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

Primary ovarian angiosarcoma is extremely rare, often presenting in later stages with nonspecific symptoms. Immunohistochemical staining of pathological specimens can aid in the diagnosis. The optimal regimen for adjuvant chemotherapy is unknown, and the prognosis is very poor.

"Cutaneous-type" angiosarcoma arising in a mature cystic teratoma of the ovary

Benign and malignant somatic tumours arising in mature cystic teratomas of the ovary are a rare but recognised phenomenon. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common somatic malignancy arising in ovarian teratomas, although many other types of tumour have been described. An angiosarcoma with "cutaneous" type typical features arising in a dermoid cyst of the ovary is reported. Vascular tumours have only rarely been described as secondary somatic tumours in ovarian teratomas. The diagnostic features and complications of such tumours are described.

Immunohistochemistry as a diagnostic aid in the evaluation of ovarian tumors

Aspects of immunohistochemistry (IHC), which are useful in the diagnosis of ovarian tumors (mostly neoplasms but also a few tumor-like lesions), are discussed. The topic is first approached by considering the different growth patterns and cell types that may be encountered. Then a few other specific situations in which IHC may assist are reviewed. Selected findings largely, or only, of academic interest are also mentioned. One of the most common situations in which IHC may aid is in the evaluation of tumors with follicles or other patterns which bring a sex cord-stromal tumor into the differential. The distinction between a sex cord tumor and an endometrioid carcinoma with sex-cord-like patterns may be greatly aided by the triad of epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), inhibin, and calretinin, the latter two being typically positive and EMA negative in sex cord tumors, the converse being typical of endometrioid carcinoma. It should be emphasized that granulosa cell tumors may be inhibin negative and, albeit less specific, calretinin is more reliable in evaluating this particular issue. Lack of staining for inhibin and calretinin may also be supportive in leading to consideration of diverse other neoplasms that may form follicles, including metastatic tumors as varied as carcinoid and melanoma. The well-known staining of the latter neoplasm for S-100 protein and HMB-45 may be very helpful in evaluating melanomas with follicular or other unusual patterns, a challenging aspect of ovarian tumor interpretation. The most common monodermal teratoma, struma ovarii, usually has an overt follicular pattern and is easily recognized, but recognition of unusual appearances ranging from oxyphilic to clear cell to various patterns of malignant struma may be greatly aided by a thyroglobulin or TTF 1 stain. IHC for neuroendocrine markers may assist in the diagnosis of primary and metastatic carcinoid tumor. The broad differential diagnosis of glandular neoplasms with an endometrioid-pseudoendometrioid morphology, or mucinous cell type, has been the subject of much exploration in recent years, particularly the distinction between primary and metastatic neoplasms. The well-known CK7 positive, CK20 negative phenotype of primary endometrioid carcinoma, and the converse profile in most metastatic large intestinal adenocarcinomas with a pseudoendometrioid morphology, has been much publicized but albeit an appropriate supportive adjunct in many cases, exceptions from the typical staining pattern may be encountered. It is even less helpful in the case of primary versus metastatic mucinous neoplasia. Evaluation of the expression of mucin gene products has shown mixed, essentially unreliable, results. Experience with other new markers, such as CDX-2, villin, beta catenin, and P504S (racemase), is limited but is in aggregate promising with regard to providing some aid in this area. The rare differential of metastatic cervical adenocarcinoma versus primary ovarian mucinous or endometrioid carcinoma may be aided by strong p16 staining of the former. Staining for alpha-fetoprotein may aid in confirming the diagnosis of endometrioid-like (and hepatoid) variants of yolk sac tumor. Ependymoma of the ovary may also have an endometrioid-like glandular pattern, but positive stains for glial fibrillary acidic protein contrast with the negative results in others neoplasms with a similar pattern. Immunostains may be very helpful in the evaluation of oxyphilic tumors and tumor-like lesions and in some unusual forms of clear cell neoplasia, such as clear cell struma, both subjects being reviewed herein. Immunostains may highlight both the presence and extent of epithelial cells in a variety of circumstances, including microinvasive foci in cases of serous borderline tumors and mucinous carcinomas, and in determining the extent of carcinoma cells and reactive cells within mural nodules of mucinous neoplasms. As in tumor pathology in general, various markers may be crucial in the diagnosis of small round cell tumors of the ovary, and familiar markers of epithelial, lymphoid, leukemic, and melanocytic neoplasms may assist in the analysis of high grade tumors with a poorly differentiated carcinoma, lymphoma-granulocytic sarcoma, malignant melanoma differential. The evaluation of ovarian cystic lesions may be aided by thyroglobulin or TTF 1 (cystic struma), glial fibrillary acid protein (ependymal cysts), and inhibin-calretinin (follicle cysts and unilocular granulosa cell tumors). Stains for trophoblast markers may occasionally aid in the evaluation of germ cell tumors, although routine stains should usually suffice; they may be of academic interest in confirming trophoblastic differentiation in some high grade surface epithelial carcinomas.

Primary angiosarcoma of the ovary: A case report of Stage I disease

BACKGROUND

There are 20 documented cases of primary ovarian angiosarcoma. Most patients present with metastatic disease and respond poorly to chemotherapy. There is little information available to counsel early-staged patients on the need for or efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy.

CASE

We present a case of Stage Ic primary ovarian angiosarcoma treated with 3 cycles of adjuvant MAID chemotherapy. The patient is without evidence of disease 10 months post-operatively.

CONCLUSION

A review of the literature indicates a potential role for MAID chemotherapy in the treatment of ovarian angiosarcomas. Detection of Stage I disease appears to confer a better prognosis regardless of the utilization of adjuvant chemotherapy.

Pregnancy following recurrent angiosarcoma of the ovary—A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND

Ovarian angiosarcomas are rare tumors which may to be distinguished from other unusual primary ovarian tumors such as clear cell carcinoma, yolk sac tumor and leiomyosarcoma on the basis of histological appearance and immunohistochemistry. Angiosarcomas of the ovary occur in all age groups but are more frequent in women of child bearing age (less than 40 years). Surgery and radiotherapy have been the traditional treatment modalities.

CASE

The case we present is the only reported long-term survivor of recurrent ovarian angiosarcoma. Her initial treatment was surgical, both at presentation and relapse but since she wished conservation of fertility, radical surgery and radiotherapy were avoided and she underwent further adjuvant chemotherapy with doxorubicin and ifosfamide. She remains in remission 6 years after treatment of recurrence of the primary tumor and has had a successful pregnancy following treatment.

CONCLUSION

Adjuvant chemotherapy of ovarian angiosarcoma with a combination of doxorubicin and ifosfamide appears effective and should be considered in women at risk of relapse who wish to conserve fertility.

Primary ovarian angiosarcoma presenting as malignant cells in ascites: Case report and review of the literature

Primary angiosarcoma of the ovary is a rare tumor, with less than 25 cases reported in the literature. These tumors are thought to arise from carcinosarcomas, teratomas or the ovarian vasculature, and occur at any age. The prognosis is dismal in the majority of cases. We present the case of a 19-year old female who presented with abdominal distention and abdominal pain. Tapping of peritoneal effusion showed groups of pleomorphic cells that were negative for epithelial and germ cell markers. Immunohistochemistry performed on the surgical specimen of the ovary, and subsequently on the effusion specimen showed staining for endothelial markers. The patient was treated post-operatively with chemotherapy, but died one year following diagnosis. This is the first reported case of an ovarian angiosarcoma that metastasized to the peritoneal cavity, with a resulting malignant effusion. Despite the rarity of metastasis from gynecological sarcomas in effusions, this possibility needs to be included in the differential diagnosis of malignant effusions that are negative for epithelial and germ cell markers.

Tumor formation in p53 mutant ovaries transplanted into wild-type female hosts

P53: gene alterations correlate highly with advanced ovarian carcinoma in women. In mice, p53 deficiency predominantly results in the formation of lymphomas and sarcomas. However, ovarian epithelial tumors have not been documented in p53 homozygous mutant (p53-/-) mice, probably because they die before other tumors can form. To determine whether p53-/- ovaries can develop epithelial tumors, they were transplanted into the ovarian bursae of histocompatible wild-type recipient females. The p53-/- ovarian grafts formed tumors approximately 1 year post-transplantation. The tumor type was angiosarcoma, suggesting that vascular tissues are predisposed to tumor formation in p53-/-ovaries. These findings suggest that p53 deficiency alone is not sufficient for ovarian epithelial tumorigenesis in mice. Thus, other genetic lesions are likely required to develop mouse models of human ovarian cancer.

Angiosarcoma involving the gastrointestinal tract: a series of primary and metastatic cases

Angiosarcoma occurs very rarely in the intestinal tract as either a primary or metastatic malignancy and can present great diagnostic difficulty, especially when it displays epithelioid cytomorphology. Since only isolated case reports have been published, the purpose of this study is to more fully delineate the histopathological and clinical features from a series of 8 angiosarcomas involving the gastrointestinal tract. There were 5 male and 3 female patients whose ages ranged from 25-85 years (median 57). Presenting symptoms included intestinal bleeding, anemia and pain. Five cases involved the small bowel and 3 involved the colon/rectum. Four cases were primary to the intestinal tract, 2 patients initially presented with secondary involvement of the large bowel from occult retroperitoneal primaries, 1 patient presented with disseminated disease including small bowel involvement, and 1 case was metastatic from a breast primary. Seven cases were composed predominantly of sheets of malignant appearing epithelioid cells with subtle areas forming cleft-like spaces suggestive of vascular differentiation. Immunohistochemical studies revealed the lesional cells to be immunoreactive for CD31 (8/8), CD34 (8/8), Factor VIII (8/8), cytokeratins AE1/AE3 (7/8), cytokeratin 7 (2/8), Cam5.2/cytokeratin 8 (5/8), and cytokeratin 19 (5/8). Cytokeratin 20 was negative in all eight cases, which contrasts sharply with the characteristic positivity for cytokeratin 20 in virtually all intestinal carcinomas. One case was weakly and focally positive for EMA and all cases were negative for S-100 protein. Cytokeratin staining was variable and ranged from focal to extensive. Follow-up was available in eight cases and ranged from 1-33 months (median 12.5). Five patients died of disease, between 1 and 33 months (median 6) after diagnosis. One recently diagnosed patient is alive with disease 18 months after diagnosis, and one patient is free of disease 27 months after original diagnosis. Angiosarcomas of the gastrointestinal tract commonly display epithelioid cytomorphology, may be diffusely and strongly positive for cytokeratins and only show subtle signs of vascular differentiation, creating potential diagnostic confusion with primary or metastatic carcinoma. Given the clinically aggressive behavior of angiosarcoma, proper classification and treatment is important. Immunohistochemistry with vascular markers, CK20, and S-100 protein may be helpful in differentiating angiosarcoma from carcinoma and melanoma.

Angiosarcoma of the head and neck with intra-oral presentation. A clinico-pathological study of four cases

Angiosarcoma of the head and neck is a rare malignant tumour that most commonly involves the skin and subcutis, particularly of the scalp. It has been reported in intra-oral locations very rarely. This study reports on the clinico-pathological features of four such cases, in elderly patients and manifesting an aggressive course. All patients were admitted for rapidly enlarging masses involving the hard palate, alveolar crest and retromolar trigone and displaying bone destruction in three cases. Morphologically, three cases were composed by bundles of spindle cells admixed with variably sized abortive vascular channels which only showed slit-like spaces separating large clusters of epithelioid cells. In all instances, intra-cytoplasmic vacuoles containing intact or fragmented red blood cells were distinctly evident. All neoplasms showed consistent CD 31 immunoreactivity and variable degrees of CD 34 and Factor VIII related antigen positivity and were responsible for the death of the patients, for local progression or lung metastases, within 6 months from the original diagnosis. Due to their rarity, angiosarcomas with intra-oral presentation may be diagnosed with difficulty, especially on small incisional biopsies. and their differentiation from spindle cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma, anaplastic lymphoma, malignant myoepithelioma and other sarcomas that more commonly arise at this site should be based on accurate immunohistochemical characterisation.

Glomus tumor of the ovary: report of a case with immunohistochemical and ultrastructural observations

A 54-year-old woman was found to have a right adnexal mass during routine pelvic examination. A total abdominal hysterectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy were performed. A well circumscribed, 2.5 cm right ovarian was composed of small spindle and epithelioid cells in solid perivascular nests. The tumor cells were reactive for vimentin and smooth muscle actin. Ultrastructurally, pinocytotic vesicles and basement membrane were prominent. This is the second reported case of glomus tumor of the ovary and the third occurring in the gonads.

CD31 expression in intratumoral macrophages: a potential diagnostic pitfall

CD31 (platelet endothelial adhesion molecule, PECAM-1) is generally regarded to be the most sensitive and specific endothelial marker in paraffin sections. We have recently encountered several cases in which intratumoral CD31-positive macrophages were misinterpreted as evidence of a vascular sarcoma. We therefore reviewed our last 1950 consultation cases with respect to cases in which CD31 immunostains were performed, to determine the frequency of CD31 expression in macrophages in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue and how often the presence of these cells was a source of diagnostic confusion. CD31 immunohistochemistry had been performed on 59 of 1950 (3%) of cases. These 59 cases consisted of both vascular (20 cases) and nonvascular tumors (39 cases). CD31-positive macrophages were distinguished from endothelial or tumor cells by correlation with the morphologic features and the immunohistochemical staining pattern of the cells of interest. In no case was CD31 positivity seen in the lesional cells of a nonvascular tumor. CD31-positive macrophages were identified in 48 of 59 (81%) cases. CD31-positive macrophages were present in 34 of 39 (87%) nonvascular tumors. A vascular tumor was diagnosed or favored by the referring pathologist in 15 of these 39 cases (38%). In 14 of these 15 cases CD31 immunostains were performed by the referring pathologist; 13 (93%) showed CD31-positive macrophages. In 4 of these 14 cases (29%) the misdiagnosis of a vascular tumor was based primarily or in part on the misinterpretation of CD31-positive macrophages as tumor cells. In all cases with CD34 and CD68 immunostains, the CD31-positive macrophages were CD34 negative and CD68 positive. We conclude that CD31 expression is very common in macrophages. Misinterpretation of CD31-positive macrophages as tumor cells may result in the erroneous diagnosis of a primary vascular neoplasm. Recognition of the characteristic granular, membranous pattern of CD31 expression in macrophages and careful distinction from tumor cells should allow the accurate interpretation of CD31 immunohistochemistry in possible vascular neoplasms. CD31 may also be useful as a nonlysosomal marker of macrophages in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections.

Expression of Fli-1, a nuclear transcription factor, distinguishes vascular neoplasms from potential mimics

Fli-1 protein, a member of the ETS family of DNAbinding transcription factors, is involved in cellular proliferation and tumorigenesis. Approximately 90% of Ewing's sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumors (ES/PNET) have a specific translocation, t(11;22)(q24;q12), which results in fusion of EWS to Fli-1, and production of an EWS-Fli-1 fusion protein. We have recently shown that immunohistochemistry for the carboxy terminal of Fli-1 protein is sensitive and highly specific for the diagnosis of ES/PNET. In our earlier study we noted that among normal tissues only endothelial cells and small lymphocytes expressed Fli-1. Fli-1 expression in vascular neoplasms has not been previously studied. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue from 54 vascular tumors and 75 nonvascular tumors were immunostained for Fli-1 (1:120, Sc 356, Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Santa Cruz, CA), after steam heat-induced epitope retrieval. Only cases with >10% of cells showing nuclear staining were accepted as positive. Cases without positive internal controls (endothelium and small lymphocytes) were not scored. Positive internal controls were present in 122 of 129 cases (95%). One vascular tumor (Kaposi's sarcoma) and 7 nonvascular tumors (2 epithelioid sarcomas and 5 carcinomas) without internal controls were not scored. Fli-1 was expressed by 50 of 53 vascular tumors scored (94%), including 20 of 22 angiosarcomas, 11 of 12 hemangioendotheliomas, 7 of 7 hemangiomas, and 12 of 12 Kaposi's sarcomas. In contrast, Fli-1 expression was absent in the 68 nonvascular tumors scored (0 of 68), including 16 sarcomas, 7 melanomas, and 45 carcinomas. The results of this study strongly suggest a role for Fli-1 as a novel marker of both benign and malignant vascular tumors. The sensitivity (94%) and specificity (100%) of Fli-1 with regards to the cases evaluated in this study equal or exceed those of the established vascular markers, CD31, CD34, and von Willebrand factor. As the first nuclear, rather than cytoplasmic or membranous marker of endothelium, Fli-1 immunostaining also generally lacks cytoplasmic staining artifacts that are the result of endogenous peroxidases or biotin.

Mesenchymal tumors and tumor-like lesions of the female genital tract: a selective review with emphasis on recently described entities

The diverse mesenchymal tumors and tumor-like lesions that occur within the female genital tract include a number of lesions that have only been recently characterized and others about which there is new information. In this group are the aggressive angiomyxoma, angiomyofibroblastoma, and cellular angiofibroma. Criteria for the distinction of these lesions are reviewed, as are the pathologic features of prognostic significance in assessing smooth muscle tumors of the vulva. The diagnostic problems that the epithelioid variant of smooth muscle tumors, both benign and malignant, may pose when they occur in various areas of the genital tract are discussed, particularly with regard to problems encountered in the ovary, a site where the diagnosis often is not considered. Recent information expanding the morphologic spectrum of fibroepithelial polyps of the genital tract is presented, and important non-neoplastic entities, including nodular fasciitis and the postoperative spindle cell nodule, are reviewed. Mesenchymal tumors of the various types seen in the soft tissues may be encountered anywhere in the female genital tract and have been the subject of particular recent interest in the ovary; issues relevant to differential diagnosis are reviewed.

Cytology of angiosarcoma. Findings in fourteen fine-needle aspiration biopsy specimens and one pleural fluid specimen

We report the cytologic features of 15 cases of angiosarcoma from various sites and include 14 fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy specimens and 1 pleural fluid specimen. Six were initial diagnoses with histologic confirmation; an additional case in the liver was an initial diagnosis without tissue confirmation. One case represented lymph node metastasis from a primary prostatic epithelioid angiosarcoma. In 10 cases, immunohistochemical staining for factor VIII-related antigen, CD34, CD31, or Ulex europaeus agglutinin I was performed on the cytology or histology specimen. The aspirates varied in cellularity, and the degree of nuclear atypia ranged from relatively bland in a case of low-grade angiosarcoma of the prostate to highly pleomorphic in a lymph node metastasis from a facial cutaneous angiosarcoma. Vasoformative features such as intracellular RBCs, well-formed vessels, attempts at microacinar/lumen formation, and intracytoplasmic lumens were variably present. The background was bloody in all specimens, with necrosis in rare cases. This cytologic series emphasizes that the cytologic features are heterogeneous but that the diagnosis can be suggested by fine-needle aspiration (FNA) when vasoformative features are present. The diagnosis can be made conclusively by FNA with immunocytochemical confirmation of endothelial differentiation.

Recent advances in immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of ovarian neoplasms

This leader reviews recent advances in immunohistochemistry that are useful in the diagnosis of ovarian neoplasms. These include the value of different anticytokeratin antibodies in the distinction between a primary ovarian adenocarcinoma and a metastatic adenocarcinoma, especially of colorectal origin. These antibodies have also helped to clarify the origin of the peritoneal disease in most cases of pseudomyxoma peritonei. The value of antibodies against so called tumour specific antigens, such as CA125 and HAM56, in determining the ovarian origin of an adenocarcinoma is also reviewed. In recent years, several studies have investigated the value of a variety of monoclonal antibodies in the diagnosis of ovarian sex cord stromal tumours and in the distinction between these neoplasms and their histological mimics. These antibodies include those directed against inhibin, CD99, Mullerian inhibiting substance, relaxin like factor, melan A, and calretinin. Of these, anti-alpha inhibin appears to be of most diagnostic value. It is stressed that these antibodies should always be used as part of a larger panel and not in isolation.

Mucinous cystadenocarcinoma in combination with hemangiosarcoma in the ovary

The ovary is the sixth most frequent site of cancer in women in Denmark with an incidence of approximately 600 cases per year. Carcinomas predominate whereas sarcomas are rare. We describe a case of the combination mucinous cystadenocarcinoma and hemangiosarcoma in a 37-year old woman, who had a right-sited oophorectomy because of a cyst. Clinically there was no suspicion of malignancy. The macro- and microscopic findings are described as well as the immunohistochemical stainings performed to confirm the diagnosis. The case shows the importance of careful sampling at the macroscopic examination, especially from areas with a striking appearance.

Teratomatous genotype detected in malignancies of a non-germ cell phenotype

Originating from post-meiotic germ cells, mature ovarian teratomas (MOT) are genetically homozygous tumors within heterozygous hosts. MOT may be associated with malignant tumors of a non-germ cell phenotype (so-called malignant transformation). Based on the presence of in situ changes, some cases have been hypothesized to arise from teratomatous tissue. However, other malignancies associated with mature teratomas, such as sarcomas, may originate from either teratomatous elements or preexisting somatic ovarian tissue. Eight cases of MOT containing various histologic types of malignancy, including four squamous cell carcinomas, two sarcomas, one thyroid carcinoma, and one carcinoid tumor, were selected for study. Using selective tissue microdissection and PCR-based analysis of the extracted DNA, we compared the genotypic pattern of the mature teratomatous components to the associated malignant neoplasm with a random panel of highly informative genetic markers for different chromosomes. In all eight cases, genetic analysis of the malignant component revealed a homozygous genotype. In seven cases, the genetic profiles of mature teratomas and the associated malignant tumors were identical, suggesting a direct pathogenetic relationship between these lesions. In one case, the malignant component revealed homozygosity of different alleles compared with mature teratoma, suggesting independent teratomatous growth processes. This finding indicates that some ovarian malignancies of the non-germ cell phenotype arise in teratoma and fall into the spectrum of germ cell tumors.

Primary ovarian angiosarcoma: a case report and literature review

Primary ovarian angiosarcoma is extremely rare. Only 16 cases have histologically been reported to date in the literature. A case of angiosarcoma arising in the right ovary of a 46-year-old female is presented. Grossly, the resected right ovary was completely replaced by a solid tumor mass, which revealed multiple necrotic and/or hemorrhagic foci. This case revealed the typical histological features of angiosarcoma with sinusoidal and solid patterns of anaplastic tumor cells. Immunohistochemically, tumor cells were strongly and diffusely positive for CD31 and CD34, in particular, along the cytoplasmic membrane of the tumor cells. Ultrastructurally, tumor cells possessed the intermediate junctions between tumor cells, discontinuous basal laminae attached to the irregularly shaped blood vessels and occasional cytoplasmic pinocytotic vesicles. These findings confirmed the case as being one of angiosarcoma of the ovary. The patient died 9 months after surgery as a result of developed multifocal brain metastases. A total of 17 cases reported as primary ovarian angiosarcoma, including this presented case, are clinicopathologically reviewed.