Brain parenchymal angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma and spinal myxoid mesenchymal tumor with FET: CREB fusion, a spectrum of the same tumor type

Potential prognostic determinants for FET::CREB fusion-positive intracranial mesenchymal tumor

Intracranial mesenchymal tumor (IMT), FET::CREB fusion-positive is a provisional tumor type in the 2021 WHO classification of central nervous system tumors with limited information available. Herein, we describe five new IMT cases from four females and one male with three harboring an EWSR1::CREM fusion and two featuring an EWSR1::ATF1 fusion. Uniform manifold approximation and projection of DNA methylation array data placed two cases to the methylation class "IMT, subclass B", one to "meningioma-benign" and one to "meningioma-intermediate". A literature review identified 74 cases of IMTs (current five cases included) with a median age of 23 years (range 4-79 years) and a slight female predominance (female/male ratio = 1.55). Among the confirmed fusions, 25 (33.8%) featured an EWSR1::ATF1 fusion, 24 (32.4%) EWSR1::CREB1, 23 (31.1%) EWSR1::CREM, one (1.4%) FUS::CREM, and one (1.4%) EWSR1::CREB3L3. Among 66 patients with follow-up information available (median: 17 months; range: 1-158 months), 26 (39.4%) experienced progression/recurrences (median 10.5 months; range 0-120 months). Ultimately, three patients died of disease, all of whom underwent a subtotal resection for an EWSR1::ATF1 fusion-positive tumor. Outcome analysis revealed subtotal resection as an independent factor associated with a significantly shorter progression free survival (PFS; median: 12 months) compared with gross total resection (median: 60 months; p < 0.001). A younger age (< 14 years) was associated with a shorter PFS (median: 9 months) compared with an older age (median: 49 months; p < 0.05). Infratentorial location was associated with a shorter overall survival compared with supratentorial (p < 0.05). In addition, the EWSR1::ATF1 fusion appeared to be associated with a shorter overall survival compared with the other fusions (p < 0.05). In conclusion, IMT is a locally aggressive tumor with a high recurrence rate. Potential risk factors include subtotal resection, younger age, infratentorial location, and possibly EWSR1::ATF1 fusion. Larger case series are needed to better define prognostic determinants in these tumors.

Difficulties in diagnosing angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma of the head and neck region: A case report

BACKGROUND

Angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma (AFH) is a rare, slow-growing soft tissue tumor. It appears mostly on the limbs and trunk in children and young adults. The biology of AFH remains unclear because of the small number of reported cases. Diagnostic testing does not provide definitive results. It has two clinical forms, that differ in terms of gene expression and clinical prognosis. It is important to inform the laboratory which specific gene testing is necessary. Here, we describe a case of rare AFH in the submandibular region using a full genetic panel.

CASE SUMMARY

A 13-year-old boy who had been misdiagnosed in the past 6 mo by his dentist visited our clinic because of a lesion in the submandibular area on the right side. The lesion was homogeneous and painless upon palpation. No skin discoloration was observed. Due to the non-specific radiological picture computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cone-beam CT (CBCT), and ultrasound-guided biopsy were performed. A venous malformation was suspected on the MRI. None of the tests provided a definitive diagnosis. Owing to the non-specific radiological findings, the patient qualified for surgical treatment. The surgical procedure included an excisional biopsy. The diagnostic testing was extended using gene rearrangements. The most distinctive gene translocation in diagnosing AFH is within the EWS RNA-binding protein 1 (EWSR1)-CREB-binding protein. However, in this case, the diagnosis was confirmed by a rearrangement within the EWSR1 gene testing.

CONCLUSION

AFH in the submandibular location is rare, and surgical treatment with genetic evaluation defines AFH type that affects subsequent procedures.

An extracranial CNS presentation of the emerging "intracranial" mesenchymal tumor, FET: CREB-fusion positive

A novel histomolecular tumor, the "intracranial mesenchymal tumor (IMT), FET::CREB fusion-positive", has recently been identified and added to the 2021 World Health Organization Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System. One of the essential diagnostic criteria defined in this classification is the intracranial location of the tumor. Herein, we report a spinal case of IMT with a classical EWSR1::CREM fusion. We compare its clinical, histopathological, immunophenotypical, genetic and epigenetic features with those previously described in IMT, FET::CREB fusion-positive. The current case presented histopathological (epithelioid morphology with mucin-rich stroma, and expression of EMA and desmin), radiological (an extraparenchymal lobulated mass without dural tail), genetic (fusion implicating the EWSR1 and CREM genes), and epigenetic (DNA-methylation profiling) similarities to previously reported cases. This case constitutes the third "extracranial" observation of an IMT. Our results added data suggesting that the terminology "IMT, FET::CREB fusion-positive" is provisional and that further series of cases are needed to better characterize them.