Proximal-type epithelioid sarcoma: a new case report and literature review

Clinicopathological Characteristics, Treatment, and Survival in Patients Diagnosed With Proximal-Type Epithelioid Sarcoma: A Case Report and Systematic Review

Epithelioid sarcoma is a rare entity that shows a predilection for the young and middle-aged population. There are two subtypes, i.e., the distal or conventional type, which is located in distal extremities, and the proximal type, located in proximal areas of the extremities, pelvis, perineal, and genital region. The latter is characterized by more aggressive behavior, a higher recurrence rate, and poor prognosis. Histopathological and immunohistochemical diagnoses are key to correct and timely treatment and a higher survival rate. We report a case of a 41-year-old man who presented a palpable progressive growth mass in the hypogastrium. The disease time was of nine months, and the tumor was resected, but it recurred a few months later in the same location. Computed tomography (CT) scans showed images suggestive of lung metastasis and the patient had to undergo a second surgery. He received eight cycles of chemotherapy and a subsequent CT scan control showed the progression of the disease, so a new chemotherapy regimen was established. The patient received three cycles of chemotherapy without improvement, so he decided to discontinue treatment. His last outpatient medical consultation was in January 2022. A systematic review of the studies published in PubMed and Google Scholar was performed. We identified 291 articles, but only 41 reports and case series were included, with a total of 55 patients. It is important to include this type of tumor in the differential diagnosis of epithelial tumors due to its aggressive behavior. Correct and timely diagnosis is crucial to obtain lower recurrence rates, lower mortality, and higher survival rates in these patients.

Primary Adrenal Epithelioid Sarcoma in a Child: A Case Report with Literature Review

Introduction; Epithelioid sarcoma is a malignant mesenchymal neoplasm with evidence of epithelial differentiation. All the cases reported in the solid organs are of "proximal type" occurring in adults. We report a primary epithelioid sarcoma arising in the adrenal gland of a young male. Case report: An 11-year-old male patient presented with right loin pain. Imaging revealed a 10.8 × 10.8 × 13.5 cm complex cystic mass with obscured right adrenal gland. Clinical and radiological studies did not reveal metastases. Histologic features were those of proximal type epithelioid sarcoma with extensive central necrosis. Immunohistochemistry showed strong positivity for pancytokeratin, vimentin, and CD34. Nuclear expression of SMARCB1 (INI-1) protein was lost. Conclusion: Proximal type of epithelioid sarcoma can arise from solid organs such as the adrenal.

Molecular and immunophenotypic characterization of SMARCB1 (INI1) - deficient intrathoracic Neoplasms

The switch/sucrose-non-fermenting (SWI/SNF) complex is an ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complex that plays important roles in DNA repair, transcription and cell differentiation. This complex consists of multiple subunits and is of particular interest in thoracic malignancies due to frequent subunit alteration of SMARCA4 (BRG1). Much less is known about SMARCB1 (INI1) deficient intrathoracic neoplasms, which are rare, often misclassified and understudied. In a retrospective analysis of 1479 intrathoracic malignant neoplasms using immunohistochemistry for INI1 (SMARCB1) on tissue micro arrays (TMA) and a search through our hospital sarcoma database, we identified in total nine intrathoracic, INI1 deficient cases (n = 9). We characterized these cases further by additional immunohistochemistry, broad targeted genomic analysis, methylation profiling and correlated them with clinical and radiological data. This showed that genomic SMARCB1 together with tumor suppressor alterations drive tumorigenesis in some of these cases, rather than epigenetic changes such as DNA methylation. A proper diagnostic classification, however, remains challenging. Intrathoracic tumors with loss or alteration of SMARCB1 (INI1) are highly aggressive and remain often underdiagnosed due to their rarity, which leads to false diagnostic interpretations. A better understanding of these tumors and proper diagnosis is important for better patient care as clinical trials and more targeted therapeutic options are emerging.

Epithelioid Sarcoma Presenting as Non-Healing Traumatic Ulcer: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Epithelioid sarcoma is a rare soft tissue sarcoma. It is a slow-growing neoplasm, which usually presents as a painless mass in the extremities and typically grows along deep dermal and subcutaneous planes. In contrast to other types of sarcoma, it has a strong tendency for nodal metastasis and local metastasis adjacent to the primary lesion within the affected limb. 

In this article, we present a case of chronic traumatic ulcer in the upper extremity in an adolescent male that was subsequently diagnosed as epithelioid sarcoma, which is a very unusual mode of presentation of this particular tumour. The patient was treated with wide local excision and reconstruction with a free flap. Histopathological examination and immunochemistry studies confirmed the diagnosis and the patient underwent radiotherapy post-operatively as a part of the treatment regime. His post-treatment period was unremarkable, and he was put on regular surveillance to monitor the development of any signs of disease recurrence. Patients with epithelioid sarcomas often present late due to the slow-growing nature of the tumour. Unusual presentations like this will further delay the diagnosis and treatment, which will eventually worsen the prognosis. Awareness of such presentations can encourage primary care physicians to make early referrals to experts, which, in turn, may help the patients get early treatment and have a better prognosis.

Para-spermatic cord proximal-type epithelioid sarcoma

Proximal-type epithelioid sarcoma is an ultra-rare, high-grade soft tissue malignancy usually presenting as a deep-seated painless mass in the proximal extremities. Most patients are diagnosed as young adults, between 20 and 40 years of age. Perineal and genital masses do occur but are extremely rare and represent a challenging tumour to diagnose and treat. Early radical excision is recommended due to its aggressive behaviour and poor prognosis. Median overall survival from initial diagnosis is 30 months. We present the case of a 22-year-old man with a left groin proximal-type epithelioid sarcoma who is sadly deceased 12 months after initial presentation despite early surgical excision, completion of both first-line and palliative chemotherapy, and palliative radiotherapy.

Epithelioid sarcoma: half a century later

Background and objectives: Epithelioid sarcoma (ES) is an aggressive malignancy scarcely reported on due to its rarity. This study is a review of its traits and features of prognosis and survival by analyzing both the literature and a national cancer database.Methods: Data were acquired from both the Survival, Epidemiology, and End Results database and literature. 1, 5, and 10-year Disease Specific Survival rates and hazard ratios (HR) were determined. Data were split into pre-2000 (<2000) and post-2000 (>2000) groups. Overall survival, recurrence, and metastasis rates were obtained.Results: Ninety hundred and ninety eight and 992 cases of ES were identified from the database and literature, respectively. Age, anatomical site, grade, TNM staging, treatment modality and year of diagnosis were demonstrated to be independent predictors of survival. Overall 5- and 10-year survival were 60.4% and 50.2%, respectively. Overall recurrence and metastasis rates were 63.4% and 40.3%. Using cases diagnosed prior to 2000 as reference, those diagnosed after 2000 had a worse prognosis (HR: 1.55).Conclusions: We report using the largest cohort of ES to date. Despite ES's often dismal prognosis, there are factors associated with better outcomes. A worsening survival over the years warrants further investigation into this sarcoma.

Primary pleural epithelioid sarcoma of the proximal type: a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge

Epithelioid sarcoma (ES) is an uncommon soft tissue neoplasm first described in 1970. It is a unique soft tissue neoplasm of adolescents and younger adults which usually presents as a subcutaneous and deep dermal mass in the distal portions of the extremities. The proximal-type variant of this rare soft tissue neoplasm was only recently reported. The proximal form typically arise in proximal extremities and in the deep parts of pelvis, perineum and genital tract. The proximal type variant has distinct histological characteristics and aggressive clinical course as compared to the distal ES. Inactivation of INI1 has been reported in both distal and proximal variants and can help to make the diagnosis. Furthermore, the proximal variant has a possible association with malignant rhabdoid neoplasm. We describe here a case of primary pleural ES of the proximal type and highlight its diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

Clinicopathologic features of epithelioid sarcoma: report of seventeen cases and review of literature

Epithelioid sarcoma (ES) is a rare malignant soft tissue tumor, which is characterized by nodular aggregates of epithelioid cells and immunoreactivity of cytokeratin (CK) as well as epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) and often with CD34. It can be divided into proximal and distal subtypes. Classic ES has a microscopic nodular appearance that is composed of large polygonal epithelioid cells combined with central necrosis, and presents as a subcutaneous or deep dermal mass in the distal extremities of young adults. The proximal variant preferentially occurs in proximal limbs and limb girdles and the midline of the trunk, and is composed of more atypical cells with variable rhabdoid morphology. In this study we investigated the clinicopathologic features of 17 patients diagnosed with ES. In addition, we reviewed relevant literature and discussed some diagnostic and differential diagnostic points of this disease.