Unusual sarcoma arising in lymphoedema

Extraosseous Ewing sarcoma arising in a chronically lymphedematous limb

Ewing sarcoma is a highly aggressive small round cell malignant neoplasm of bone and soft tissue that typically is manifested in children and young adults. It is most commonly a primary bone tumor; however, extraosseous cases have been increasingly reported. We report a case of metastatic extraosseous Ewing sarcoma with the primary lesion occurring within a limb affected by primary lymphedema. Lymphedema, in this case, played a role not only in the genesis of the tumor because of the relative local immunosuppression but also in masking the development of the lower limb mass.

Multiple metastatic basal cell carcinoma with concurrent metastatic pleomorphic sarcoma in chronic lymphedema area--case report

Chronic lymphedema presents as interstitial fluid retention due to a failure in the lymphatic system drainage. The affected region becomes more vulnerable immunologically and predisposed to the onset of neoplasms. Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common sort of neoplasm, nevertheless it rarely metastisizes. Sarcomas are malignant mesenchymal neoplasms, locally aggressive, which can spread. Here is reported an infrequent case of multiple basal cell carcinoma, synchronous to a poorly differentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, both spreading to lymph nodes and arising from tissue compromised by chronic lymphedema.

Squamous cell carcinoma in chronic lymphedema: case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) arising in chronic lymphedema is rare; only nine cases have been reported.

OBJECTIVE

To present the evolution of SCC in chronic lymphedema.

METHODS

Case report and literature review.

RESULTS

The tumor was treated by wide excision and covered by a skin graft.

CONCLUSION

In most of the other reported SCC cases in lymphedema, there are additional factors for carcinogenesis. There is no additional carcinogenic factor except for chronic lymphedema in our case. This strongly supports that lymphedema itself is one of the carcinogenic factors for not only angiosarcoma but also SCC.

Lymphedema: an immunologically vulnerable site for development of neoplasms

Lymphedema is the result of accumulation of protein-rich interstitial fluid (lymph stasis) caused by a failure of lymph drainage in the face of a normal capillary filtration. Whether the origin is congenital or acquired from infection, radiation, trauma, or surgery, chronic lymph stasis impairs local immune surveillance by disrupting trafficking of the immunocompetent cells in the lymphedematous district and stimulates vicarious angiogenesis by promoting development of a collateral lymphatic and hematic network in the lymphedematous district. When the local mechanisms of immune surveillance begin to fail, the lymphedematous region becomes an immunologically vulnerable area, predisposed to malignancy, chiefly vascular tumors such as Stewart-Treves syndrome and Kaposi's sarcoma, because of the continual angiogenic stimulus.

Basal cell carcinomas arising in chronic lymphedema

A unique case is presented of basal cell carcinomas arising in chronic lymphedema of the lower extremity. The lesions were successfully treated with the CO2 laser.