Ulcerated epithelioid hemangioendothelioma of the right armpit in childhood

Advances in the clinicopathological and molecular classification of cutaneous mesenchymal neoplasms

In recent years, there have been several important refinements in the classification of cutaneous mesenchymal neoplasms, including the description of new tumour types, along with the identification of novel and recurrent molecular genetic findings. In addition to providing new insights into tumour biology, many of these advances have had significant clinical consequences with regard to diagnostics, management, and prognostication. Newly described entities include pseudomyogenic haemangioendothelioma, haemosiderotic fibrolipomatous tumour, and fibroblastic connective tissue naevus, which are reviewed in the context of the principal differential diagnoses and significant clinical implications. Genetic characterization of several soft tissue tumour types that occur in the skin has resulted in the identification of diagnostically useful markers: ALK gene rearrangement with corresponding ALK protein expression by immunohistochemistry in epithelioid fibrous histiocytoma; the WWTR1-CAMTA1 fusion gene with CAMTA1 protein expression in epithelioid haemangioendothelioma; MYC amplification and overexpression in radiation-associated angiosarcoma; and EWSR1 gene rearrangement in cutaneous myoepithelial tumours. Finally, the classification of intradermal smooth muscle tumours and unclassified/pleomorphic dermal sarcoma has been refined, resulting in both improved classification and improved prognostication. Many of the tumour types listed above are encountered not only by specialist dermatopathologists, but also by practising general surgical pathologists, and this review should therefore provide a widely applicable update on the histological and molecular classification of cutaneous mesenchymal neoplasms, along with the appropriate use of ancillary diagnostic tests, in particular immunohistochemistry, in the evaluation of such lesions and their histological mimics.

Cutaneous epithelioid hemangioendothelioma on the sole of a child

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) has been considered to be a low-grade malignant vascular neoplasm, although follow-up of recent series has demonstrated that EHE involving the skin and soft tissues should be better regarded as a fully malignant vascular tumor since it has more metastatic potential than previously thought. We report a case of an EHE involving the left sole of 6-year-old boy, the youngest patient with cutaneous EHE described to date. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated a lymphatic endothelial line of differentiation for neoplastic cells. Cutaneous EHE is rare in childhood, with only five previously described cases.

Report of 2 Cases of Primary Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma of the External Iliac Vein

The epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is a rare type of endothelial neoplasm found mainly in soft tissues and visceral organs and in extraordinary cases in large veins like the iliac veins. Currently, there is an active discussion in which EHE behavior, classification, new diagnostic tools, and treatment procedures are proposed. Here, we present 2 cases of EHE and discuss our experience in diagnosis and treatment of this neoplasm.

Clinical patterns and outcome in epithelioid hemangioendothelioma with or without pulmonary involvement: insights from an internet registry in the study of a rare cancer

BACKGROUND

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is a rare vascular neoplasm of endothelial origin with clinical behavior intermediate between hemangioma and angiosarcoma. The natural history of EHE is highly variable. This study uses an Internet registry to identify clinical patterns with prognostic significance in EHE.

METHODS

Cases from the International Hemangioendothioma, Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma, and Related Vascular Disorders (HEARD) Support Group were evaluated based on demographics, organ involvement, disease progression, presence or absence of pleural effusion, and treatment. Survival among various cohorts was compared using log-rank analysis of Kaplan-Meier plots.

RESULTS

Two hundred sixty-four patients were identified from April 2004 to November 2009. Fifty-eight cases were excluded because of inadequate information or wrong diagnosis. EHE was more common in female patients (61%). Male gender and age ≥ 55 years were associated with decreased survival. The most commonly affected organs were liver, lung, and bone. No specific organ or combination of organ involvement differentially affected survival, and survival was no different between patients with multiple vs single organ involvement. However, pattern B, defined as lesions without distinct borders (eg, pulmonary infiltrates, pleural effusion, ascites), hemoptysis, or involvement of more than two bones adversely affected survival in all cohorts.

CONCLUSION

A novel staging system with prognostic value for EHE is proposed. Pleural effusion or other signs of uncontained tumor growth, hemoptysis, and osseous involvement of more than two bones implied worse survival than did localized and discrete tumors, regardless of number of organs involved. A lay registry can provide useful insights into the clinical behavior of a rare cancer.