A peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor originating from the pancreas: a case report and review of the literature

Comments and illustrations of the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine contrast-enhanced ultrasound guidelines: Multiparametric imaging and EUS-guided sampling in rare pancreatic tumors. Benign mesenchymal pancreatic tumors

The focus of the review is on primary benign mesenchymal pancreatic tumors and their imaging appearance. These tumors are extremely rare. Usually, they are not diagnosed until postoperative histology is available, and so even benign tumors have undergone extensive pancreatic resection. The very limited data on abdominal and EUS findings including contrast-enhanced techniques of these pancreatic lesions are summarized here. Case reports will be presented for some of these rare tumors with application of modern ultrasound and endosonographic techniques.

Comments and illustrations of the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine contrast-enhanced ultrasonography guidelines: multiparametric imaging and EUS-guided sampling in rare pancreatic tumors. Mesenchymal pancreatic tumors of intermediate biological behaviour

The focus of the review is on mesenchymal pancreatic tumors with intermediate biological behavior and their imaging appearance. Similar to benign and malignant mesenchymal pancreatic tumors, these tumors are extremely rare. The diagnosis is often confirmed only by postoperative histology. The very limited data on abdominal ultrasound and EUS findings including contrast-enhanced techniques of these pancreatic lesions are summarized here.

Ewing sarcoma of the pancreas: a pediatric case report and narrative literature review

Ewing's Sarcoma (ES) is an rare, small round-cell sarcoma that predominantly occurs in children and young adults, with both skeletal and extraskeletal manifestations. However, pancreatic ES, due to its rarity, is infrequently featured in scholarly literature, with only a scant 43 reported instances. Our study describes a case of pancreatic ES in an 8-year-old boy who was found to have an abdominal mass. Following an exhaustive examination, the boy was diagnosed with a neoplasm in the pancreatic head and underwent a complex surgical procedure encompassing pancreatoduodenectomy and partial transverse colectomy. Immunohistochemical assays confirmed the neoplastic cells' positivity for Cluster of Differentiation 99(CD99), Vimentin, and NK2 Homeobox 2(NKX2.2), while genomic testing identified an EWSR1-FLI1(Ewing Sarcoma Breakpoint Region 1-Friend Leukemia Integration 1) gene fusion. This led to a conclusive diagnosis of pancreatic Ewing's Sarcoma. The patient underwent seven cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy, alternating between VDC (Vincristine, Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphamide) and IE (Ifosfamide, Etoposide) tri-weekly, but did not undergo radiotherapy. At present, the patient remains neoplasm-free. Through our case analysis and comprehensive review of the existing literature, we aim to underscore th rarity of pancreatic Ewing's sarcoma and to highlight the efficacy of our individualized therapeutic approach.

Comments and illustrations of the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine guidelines: Rare pancreatic tumors, ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound features-Malignant mesenchymal tumors

Rare malignant mesenchymal pancreatic tumors are systematized and reported in this review. The focus is on the appearance on imaging. The present overview summarizes the data and shows that not every pancreatic tumor corresponds to the most common entities of ductal adenocarcinoma or neuroendocrine tumor.

Rare presentation in a rare case of pancreatic extraosseous Ewing's sarcoma: A case report

RATIONALE

Extraosseous Ewing's sarcoma is a rare tumor which is aggressive with poor prognosis; it can occur anywhere in the body, but scantily in the pancreas. Pancreatic Ewing's sarcoma is not reported commonly, with inconsistent clinical manifestations. In this regard, early recognition of this disease is very important for the patient's sake.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 16-year-old boy presented with left lower quadrant abdominal pain for 2 months, and left flank pain with dysuria for 1 month.

DIAGNOSIS

Abdominal and renal ultrasonography found a mass between the spleen and left kidney as well as left renal pelvic dilatation. Abdominal computed tomography found a heterogenous mass derived from the tail of the pancreas. Serial examinations revealed that the mass was a pancreatic Ewing's sarcoma. Furthermore, no metastasis was documented.

INTERVENTIONS

The tumor was totally excised after 6 months of chemotherapy, which included 10 courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with vincristine, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide, alternating with ifosfamide and etoposide. The patient completed consolidation chemotherapy with vincristine, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide, alternating with ifosfamide and etoposide for 5 courses. Radiotherapy was applied to the tumor-involved region and tumor bed.

OUTCOMES

To date, the malignancy has not recurred since the treatment was completed 4 years ago. There are no complications from the treatment for the patient.

LESSONS

The pancreas is a very rare extraosseous location for Ewing's sarcoma. Pancreatic extraosseous Ewing's sarcoma should be regarded as a differential diagnosis of non-urinary originated left flank pain with dysuria in adolescents.

Extraskeletal Ewing Sarcoma from Head to Toe: Multimodality Imaging Review

Extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma (EES) is a rare subtype in the Ewing sarcoma family of tumors (ESFT), which also includes Ewing sarcoma of bone (ESB) and, more recently, primitive neuroectodermal tumors. Although these tumors often have different manifestations, they are grouped on the basis of common genetic translocation and diagnosis from specific molecular and immunohistochemical features. While the large majority of ESFT cases occur in children and in bones, approximately 25% originate outside the skeleton as EES. Importantly, in the adult population these extraskeletal tumors are more common than ESB. Imaging findings of EES tumors are generally nonspecific, with some variation based on location and the tissues involved. A large tumor with central necrosis that does not cross the midline is typical. Despite often nonspecific findings, imaging plays an important role in the evaluation and management of ESFT, with MRI frequently the preferred imaging modality for primary tumor assessment and local staging. Chest CT and fluorine 18 fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT are most sensitive for detecting lung and other distant or nodal metastases. Management often involves chemotherapy with local surgical excision, when possible. A multidisciplinary treatment approach should be used given the propensity for large tumor size and local invasion, which can make resection difficult. Despite limited data, outcomes are similar to those of other ESFT cases, with 5-year survival exceeding 80%. However, with metastatic disease, the long-term prognosis is poor. ^©RSNA, 2022.

Primary and metastatic primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the heart: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Primary and metastatic primitive neuroectodermal tumors of the pericardium are uncommon. Two cases are presented and discussed.

METHODS

The cases of a 17- and 38-year-old male patients with neuroectodermal tumors of the pericardium are presented. In addition, a systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items and checklist for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). All selected articles' quality assessment was done using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist for Case Reports.

RESULTS

The systematic review yielded 29 patients with primary or metastatic PNET. Two patients underwent cardiac transplantation. It seems that unlike considering total resection in other organs, pericardiectomy in PNET patients with pericardial origin may lead to further invasion of the lesions, and it is not recommended. The average disease-free follow-up was 10 months. The combination of neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy along with surgery and radiotherapy offered the best disease-free outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Neuroectodermal heart tumors are rare, aggressive tumors requiring chemotherapy and radiotherapy in association with tumor resection surgery to have the best disease-free duration.

Solid pancreatic masses in children: A review of current evidence and clinical challenges

Pancreatic tumors in children are infrequently encountered in clinical practice. Their non-specific clinical presentation and overlapping imaging characteristics often make an accurate preoperative diagnosis difficult. Tumors are categorized as epithelial or non-epithelial, with epithelial tumors further classified as tumors of the exocrine or endocrine pancreas. Although both are tumors of the exocrine pancreas, solid pseudopapillary neoplasm is the most prevalent solid pancreatic tumor in children, while pancreatoblastoma is the most common malignant tumor. Insulinoma is the most common pediatric pancreatic tumor of the endocrine pancreas. Malignant tumors require a complete, often radical, surgical resection. However, pancreatic parenchyma-sparing surgical procedures are utilized for benign tumors and low-grade malignancy to preserve gland function. This review will discuss the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical and diagnostic characteristics, and management options associated with both common and rare solid pancreatic masses in children. We will also discuss current challenges encountered in their evaluation and treatment.

Pancreatic Masses in Children and Young Adults: Multimodality Review with Pathologic Correlation

Masses and masslike lesions of the pancreas are uncommon in the pediatric population. However, owing to overlapping clinical and imaging features, it can be challenging to differentiate the various causes of pediatric pancreatic masses at initial patient presentation. Clinical data such as patient age, signs and symptoms at presentation, laboratory test results, and potential underlying cancer predisposition syndrome can be helpful when formulating a differential diagnosis. US may be the first imaging study to depict a pancreatic mass in a child, as this examination is frequently performed in children with nonspecific abdominal signs and symptoms because of its wide availability and relatively low cost and the lack of a need for sedation or anesthesia. CT or MRI is typically required for more thorough characterization of the mass and surgical planning. Complete characterization of pancreatic masses includes assessment of vascular involvement, local invasion, and extrapancreatic spread of tumor. The authors provide an up-to-date comprehensive review of the clinical manifestations, histopathologic features, and imaging findings of primary and secondary tumors of the pancreas in children and young adults. Advances in imaging, current prognostic information, and treatment paradigms also are highlighted. Finally, nontumorous masslike lesions of the pediatric pancreas, including vascular malformations, cystic disorders (eg, von Hippel-Lindau syndrome, cystic fibrosis), intrapancreatic accessory spleen, and autoimmune pancreatitis, are discussed. Online supplemental material is available for this article. ^©RSNA, 2021.

Primary primitive neuroectodermal tumor in the pericardium—a focus on imaging findings: A case report

BACKGROUND

Primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) are rare, sporadic malignant tumors of the peripheral nervous system, bone, or soft tissues. However, to the best of our knowledge, only three cases of PNET in the pericardium have been reported in the English literature, and their magnetic resonance imaging findings have not previously been described.

CASE SUMMARY

A 3-year-old boy was hospitalized with a 1-wk history of recurrent vomiting and weakness. Detailed history-taking revealed no evidence of heart disease. Computed tomography demonstrated a soft tissue mass in the left pericardial cavity with heterogeneous contrast enhancement. The border between the mass and the heart was poorly defined. Thoracotomy revealed a mass invading the left ventricle, with a high risk of bleeding. The mass was considered inoperable. A biopsy was performed, and the histological and immunohistochemical findings confirmed the diagnosis of primary PNET of the pericardium. The patient received four cycles of standard chemotherapy. Chest magnetic resonance imaging 3 mo after the initiation of chemotherapy revealed that the tumor in the pericardium still existed, but its volume had slightly decreased. The patient was lost to follow-up, and the final outcome was therefore unknown.

CONCLUSION

Medical imaging plays an important role in defining the pericardial origin of PNET and understanding its characteristics. Magnetic resonance imaging can provide more information on the tumor than computed tomography and may thus aid therapeutic planning.

Extraosseus Ewing's Sarcoma in Pancreas: A Review

Primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET, previously referred to as peripheral neuroepithelioma) are rare malignant tumors with various degrees of differentiation belonging to the Ewing’s family of sarcomas. They are classified as round cell tumors arising from soft tissues. In rare instances, PNETs may arise from solid organs containing neuroendocrine cells of kidney, bladder, heart, lungs, parotid glands and pancreas. Most cases occur in the second decade of life with a slight preponderance in males. PNET of the pancreas is an aggressive tumor with multiple recurrences and a relatively poor prognosis. These tumors should be considered in the differential diagnosis, especially in a diagnosed pancreatic tumor in individuals less than 35 years of age. Due to the nature of the tumor, surgery with subsequent chemoradiation are widely accepted modalities despite the poor prognosis. In this article, we review 25 cases of extraosseous Ewing’s sarcoma (ES) of the pancreas which to the best of our knowledge, enlists most cases reported in the literature thus far. 

Metastasis of Ewing Sarcoma to the Pancreas: Case Report and Literature Review

Ewing sarcoma (ES) is a highly aggressive malignant bone cancer. ES is part of the Ewing sarcoma family of tumors (ESFT), which express characteristic t(11;22) translocation as well as higher levels of CD99. Given that metastasis and tumor burden are significant prognostic factors in patient's response to treatment, prompt diagnosis is needed to effectively treat ESFT patients. However, the challenges in classifying and characterizing ESFT complicate effective management and treatment of ES. In this report, we present a rare case of ES metastasis to the pancreas. Upon review of the literature, we found 39 cases of ESFT involving the pancreas, but only 3 were metastatic to the pancreas while the remaining cases of ESFT primarily originated from the pancreas. Given the rarity of such metastasis, the positive outcome in our patient's case may explain the importance of prompt diagnosis in order to initiate appropriate treatment.

A Nonpediatric Extraosseous Ewing Sarcoma of the Pancreas: Differential Diagnosis and Therapeutic Strategies

Extraosseous Ewing's sarcoma is a rare and aggressive malignant tumor with a poor prognosis. The pancreas is an extremely uncommon primary site, with only 27 cases that have been published worldwide. We report a 26-year-old female who presented with 5 days of left upper quadrant pain, nausea, and vomiting. On examination, she was anicteric and had epigastric and left upper quadrant tenderness without guarding, rebound tenderness, or a palpable mass. She had slightly elevated serum aminotransferase and lipase levels. Abdominal computerized tomography revealed a multilobulated tumor arising from the body and tail of the pancreas. A biopsy confirmed a small round cell tumor, and immunohistochemistry was positive for CD99 in approximately 70% of the tumor cells. A fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay showed a 22q12 rearrangement. She was diagnosed with extraosseous Ewing sarcoma of the pancreas and underwent multiagent neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgical resection, but subsequent imaging revealed evidence of systemic disease progression. She chose to go on hospice care and died a few weeks later.

Primary pericardial primitive neuroectodermal tumor: a case report and review of literature

Primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) is a rare, high-grade malignant tumor that most commonly occurs in the peripheral nervous system, bone, and deep soft tissues. It is extremely rare in the pericardium. To the best of our knowledge, only two patients with primary PNET of the pericardium have been reported so far in the literature. We report a case of PNET of the pericardium in a 13-year-old female patient, who was referred to our hospital for dyspnea and edema of lower extremities. Computer tomography (CT) scanning revealed a soft tissue mass in the pericardium which was surgically removed. The diagnosis of PNET was confirmed by histology, immunohistochemistry and molecular study. The patient was alive and well at follow up 8 months after surgery.

Cytogenetically confirmed primary Ewing's sarcoma of the pancreas

Ewing's sarcoma is a highly aggressive malignant tumour most commonly affecting long bones in children and adolescents. It is part of the Ewing's sarcoma family of tumours (ESFTs) that also include peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumour and Askin's tumours. ESFTs share common cytogenetic aberrations, antigenic profiles and proto-oncogene expression with an overall similar clinical course. In 99% of ESFTs, genetic translocation with molecular fusion involves the EWSR1 gene on 22q12. Approximately 30% of ESFTs are extraosseous, most commonly occurring in the soft tissues of extremities, pelvis, retroperitoneum and chest wall. Primary presentation in solid organs is very rare but has been described in multiple sites including the pancreas. Accurate diagnosis of a Ewing's sarcoma in a solid organ is critical in facilitating correct treatment. We report the case of a 17-year-old girl with cytogenetically confirmed primary pancreatic Ewing's sarcoma and provide a brief review of the published literature.

Huge peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the small bowel mesentery at nonage: A case report and review of the literature

Extraskeletal Ewing’s sarcoma/peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor (E-EWS/pPNET) is a rare aggressive malignant small round cell tumor. In this report, we present the case of a 15-year-old boy who suffered from acute abdominal pain accompanied by hematemesis and melena, and was eventually diagnosed with E-EWS/pPNET. To date, there have been only five reported cases of E-EWS/pPNET of the small bowel including the patient in this report. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documentation of a pPNET of the small bowel mesentery at nonage. All these have made this report rare and significant.