Mesonephric-like Differentiation of Endometrial Endometrioid Carcinoma: Clinicopathological and Molecular Characteristics Distinct from Those of Uterine Mesonephric-like Adenocarcinoma

Comprehensive Immunohistochemical Analysis of Mesonephric Marker Expression in Low-grade Endometrial Endometrioid Carcinoma

Immunohistochemical markers shown to be useful in identifying/confirming mesonephric/mesonephric-like differentiation (MLD markers) include thyroid transcription factor (TTF1), GATA-binding protein 3 (GATA3), and cluster of differentiation 10 (CD10). Only a few studies have examined the expression levels of MLD markers in endometrial endometrioid carcinomas (EECs). This study aimed to analyze the frequency and pattern of MLD marker expression in low-grade EECs. We performed immunostaining for the detection of TTF1, GATA3, and CD10 expression in 50 low-grade EEC tissue samples and evaluated their staining proportion and intensity. Nine tumors (18.0%) expressed at least one MLD marker in varying proportions and intensities, and 2 of these tumors were positive for 2 MLD markers (TTF1/GATA3 and GATA3/CD10, respectively). Three (6.0%) tumors showed moderate-to-strong nuclear TTF1 immunoreactivity in ≤5% of the tumor cells. Five tumors (10.0%) had at least moderate nuclear GATA3 staining, and three of them displayed a staining proportion of ≥15%. Three tumors (6.0%) were focal (mean proportion, 15%) but strongly positive for CD10. Our findings indicate that a subset of EEC can express one or more MLD markers with varying staining proportions and intensities. Given that a diagnosis of uterine mesonephric-like adenocarcinoma should be established based on a combination of characteristic histologic features, unique immunophenotypes, and confirmed molecular findings, pathologists should not exclude EEC based only on the presence of focal immunoreactivity for MLD markers. Awareness of the atypical expression patterns of MLD markers in EEC helps pathologists avoid misdiagnosing EEC as a uterine mesonephric-like adenocarcinoma.

The oncologic outcomes of endometrial cancer metastasizing to the adrenal gland and kidney: from case to analysis

Objective

To evaluate the oncologic outcomes of endometrial cancer metastasis to the adrenal gland and kidney, based on a case study and review of the literature.

Material and Methods

A systematic review of the medical literature was performed to identify articles about metastatic endometrial cancer to the adrenal gland and kidney from 1975 until 2021.

Results

A 55-year-old female patient was admitted to our center. On pelvic examination, a mass protruding out of the cervix was observed, which was shown to be endometrioid carcinoma on biopsy. Disease stage was IVB, based on radiological and pathological results and the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2018 staging. Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy was given. After therapy, the patient underwent type 2 hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, total omentectomy and lymph node dissection. Left nephrectomy, left adrenalectomy and left hemicolectomy were also performed because the conglomerate tumor invaded the left kidney, left adrenal gland, and left colon mesentery. Pathological findings were consistent with metastasis of endometrioid carcinoma in the left adrenal gland, left kidney parenchyma and hilum.

Conclusion

Metastasis of endometrial cancer to the adrenal gland and kidney is extremely rare and metastasis to the kidney has been reported in only two previous cases. When there is an intraperitoneal spread of endometrial cancer, as well as ovarian cancer, cytoreductive surgery without leaving a residual tumor should be undertaken andshould include adrenalectomy and nephrectomy, if necessary.

Mesonephric-like Adenocarcinoma of the Uterine Corpus: Genomic and Immunohistochemical Profiling with Comprehensive Clinicopathological Analysis of 17 Consecutive Cases from a Single Institution

Data on genetic and immunophenotypical characteristics of uterine mesonephric-like adenocarcinoma (MLA) remain limited. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the clinicopathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular features of uterine MLA. We performed targeted sequencing, array comparative genomic hybridization, and immunostaining in 17, 13, and 17 uterine MLA cases, respectively. Nine patients developed lung metastases. Eleven patients experienced disease recurrences. The most frequently mutated gene was Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS; 13/17). Both the primary and matched metastatic tumors harbored identical KRAS (3/4) and phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (1/4) mutations, and did not harbor any additional mutations. A total of 2 of the 17 cases harbored tumor protein 53 (TP53) frameshift insertion and deletion, respectively. Chromosomal gains were detected in 1q (13/13), 10 (13/13), 20 (10/13), 2 (9/13), and 12 (6/13). Programmed cell death-ligand 1 overexpression or mismatch repair deficiency was not observed in any of the cases. Initial serosal extension and lung metastasis independently predicted recurrence-free survival with hazard ratios of 6.30 and 7.31, respectively. Our observations consolidated the clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of uterine MLA. Both clinicians and pathologists should consider these features to make an accurate diagnosis of uterine MLA and to ensure appropriate therapeutic management of this rare entity.

Mesonephric-like Carcinosarcoma of the Uterine Corpus: Clinicopathological, Molecular and Prognostic Characteristics in Comparison With Uterine Mesonephric-like Adenocarcinoma and Conventional Endometrial Carcinosarcoma

BACKGROUND/AIM

This study aimed to investigate the clinicopathological, prognostic and molecular characteristics of uterine mesonephric-like carcinosarcoma (MLCS).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We collected clinical, pathological, and genetic information from 12 MLCS patients, and analyzed their differences from mesonephric-like adenocarcinoma (MLA) and conventional endometrial carcinosarcoma (CECS).

RESULTS

The epithelial component was exclusively MLA in all MLCS cases. Metastatic and recurrent tumors consisted predominantly or exclusively of MLA in the majority of MLCS cases. Patients with MLCS and MLA presented with more advanced-stage disease than those with CECS. They also exhibited post-treatment recurrence and lung metastases more frequently than CECS. Disease-free survival rates of MLCS and MLA were shorter than those of CECS. Tumor protein 53 gene mutations were detected in four MLCS cases.

CONCLUSION

The predominance or exclusive presence of MLA in metastatic and recurrent tumors highlights the possibility that MLA may determine the clinical outcomes of patients with MLCS. Further studies are required to provide direct molecular evidence of the monoclonal origin of uterine MLCS.

Endometrioid Carcinomas of the Ovaries and Endometrium Involving Endocervical Polyps: Comprehensive Clinicopathological Analyses

While synchronous ovarian and endometrial endometrioid carcinomas (ECs) have long been described in the literature, ovarian or endometrial EC involving concomitant endocervical polyp (ECP) has not yet been reported. This study aimed to investigate the histological types and prevalence of gynecological tumors co-existing with ECP and to comprehensively analyze the clinicopathological characteristics of ovarian and endometrial ECs involving ECPs. We searched for ECP cases associated with premalignant lesions or malignancies of the female genital tract occurring between March 2019 and February 2022. We then investigated the histological types and prevalence of gynecological tumors co-existing with ECP. In addition, we reviewed electronic medical records and pathology slides to collect the clinicopathological features of four patients with ovarian or endometrial EC involving ECP. We found 429 ECPs over the three-year study period. Of these, 68 (15.9%) were associated with premalignant or malignant lesions occurring in the uterine cervix, endometrium, and ovaries. Four of these cases, including two (0.5%) ovarian grade 3 ECs and two (0.5%) endometrial grade 1 ECs, involved ECPs. In the former cases (cases 1 and 2), ECs involving ECPs exhibited similar morphology and immunohistochemical staining results to those of advanced-stage ovarian EC. In the latter cases (cases 3 and 4), the histological and immunophenotypical features of EC involving ECP were identical to those of primary endometrial EC, despite the lack of tumor involvement in the myometrium, lower uterine segment, and cervical stroma as well as the absence of lymphovascular invasion and lymph node metastasis. In all cases, no evidence of benign endometriosis, endometrial hyperplasia without atypia, or atypical hyperplasia/endometrial intraepithelial neoplasm within ECP or the adjacent endocervical tissue was noted. Considering our results, the involvement of ECP by EC may have been caused by an implantation metastasis from the ovarian (cases 1 and 2) or endometrial (cases 3 and 4) EC. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first exploration of the synchronous occurrence of endometrial or ovarian EC and ECP involvement. Implantation metastasis via transtubal and trans-endometrial cavity migration may have been the pathogenic mechanism of ECP involvement.

Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma of the Uterus: Clinicopathological and Molecular Characteristics

Alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) is a rare malignant mesenchymal tumor mainly affecting adolescents and young adults, with a predilection for the deep soft tissues of extremities. ASPS arising in the female genital tract is extremely rare and poses a significant diagnostic challenge. We herein present two rare cases of ASPS, one occurring in the uterine corpus of a 27-year-old woman, and the other in the uterine cervix of a 10-year-old girl. We described the clinical, histological, immunophenotypical, and molecular characteristics of primary uterine ASPS. We performed immunostaining for transcription factor E3 (TFE3), human melanoma black 45 (HMB45), melan-A, desmin, pan-cytokeratin (CK), paired box 8 (PAX8), CD10, hormone receptors, and S100, and targeted RNA and DNA sequencing using commercially available cancer gene panel. In case 1, a 27-year-old woman was referred to our hospital after laparoscopic uterine myomectomy at an outside hospital. Imaging studies revealed a residual tumor in the uterine corpus. In case 2, a 10-year-old girl underwent surgical excision for the cervical mass and was diagnosed as having ASPS. She was then referred to our hospital for further management. Both patients received total hysterectomy. Histologically, they displayed characteristic histological features of ASPS. Strong nuclear TFE3 immunoreactivity, periodic acid-Schiff-positive, diastase-resistant intracytoplasmic rod-shaped crystalloids or granules, and the identification of ASPSCR1–TFE3 fusion confirmed the diagnosis of ASPS in both cases. Lack of immunoreactivity for HMB45, melan-A, desmin, pan-CK, PAX8, and S100 excluded the possibility of perivascular epithelioid cell tumor, clear cell sarcoma, metastatic renal cell carcinoma, granular cell tumor, and paraganglioma. Our observations can help pathologists make an accurate diagnosis of uterine ASPS and suggest that pathologists should include primary uterine ASPS in the differential diagnosis of uterine mesenchymal tumors.

Extraskeletal Mesenchymal Chondrosarcoma of the Uterus

Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma is an uncommon malignant mesenchymal tumor with an aggressive behavior. Diagnoses of mesenchymal chondrosarcoma are established based on histomorphological, immunohistochemical, and molecular findings. Only one case of extraskeletal mesenchymal chondrosarcoma (EMC) of the uterus has been reported. This article presents the second case of primary uterine EMC, occurring in a 33-year-old woman. We describe the histological and immunophenotypical features of EMC. Our observations will help pathologists and clinicians perform accurate histological diagnoses of uterine EMC and plan appropriate treatment strategies for this rare tumor.

Mesonephric-like Adenocarcinoma of the Ovary: Clinicopathological and Molecular Characteristics

Mesonephric-like adenocarcinoma (MLA) arising in the ovary is a rare malignant tumor of the female genital tract. Although the clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of uterine MLA have been accumulated, those of ovarian MLA have not been firmly clarified. In this study, we investigated the clinicopathological, immunohistochemical, and genetic features of five ovarian MLAs. A review of electronic medical records and pathology slides, immunostaining, and targeted sequencing was performed. On imaging, ovarian MLA presented as either a mixed solid and cystic mass or a purely solid mass. One, three, and one patient were diagnosed as having FIGO stage IA, IC, and II MLA, respectively. Four patients with stage IC–II tumor underwent post-operative adjuvant chemotherapy. Three of the four patients whose follow-up information was available did not experience recurrence. In contrast, the remaining patient with stage IA tumor who did not receive any adjuvant treatment developed multiple metastatic recurrences at post-operative 13 months. Histologically, ovarian MLAs characteristically displayed architectural diversity, compactly aggregated small tubules, and eosinophilic intraluminal secretions. Four tumors were found to be associated with endometriotic cysts. Two cases showed some areas of high-grade nuclear atypia, brisk mitotic activity, and necrosis. Immunohistochemically, all cases showed positive immunoreactivities for at least three of the four examined mesonephric markers (GATA3, PAX2, TTF1, and CD10), lack of WT1 expression, non-diffuse p16 immunoreactivity, and wild-type p53 immunostaining pattern. Targeted sequencing analysis revealed that all four examined cases harbored pathogenic KRAS mutations: p.G12V (2/4); p.G12D (1/4); and p.G12C (1/4). In addition, we reviewed the previous literature reporting 60 cases of ovarian MLA. Our findings corroborate those of the previous data regarding the clinical presentation, histological features, immunophenotypes, and molecular alterations. Our observations should encourage pathologists to recognize and accurately diagnose this rare but distinct entity.

Mesonephric-like Adenocarcinoma of the Uterine Corpus: Comprehensive Immunohistochemical Analyses Using Markers for Mesonephric, Endometrioid and Serous Tumors

Mesonephric-like adenocarcinoma (MLA) of the uterine corpus is a rare but distinct malignant tumor of the female genital tract, demonstrating a characteristic morphology and unique immunohistochemical profiles and molecular alterations. We conducted immunohistochemical staining (IHC) to make precise differential diagnoses of uterine MLAs from common histological subtypes of endometrial carcinomas. We collected 25 uterine MLAs and performed IHC for GATA3, TTF1, CD10, ER, PR, p16, p53, and HER2. Seventeen cases (68.0%) showed at least moderate nuclear GATA3 immunoreactivity in ≥25% of tumor cells. Most cases expressed TTF1 (17/21, 81.0%) and CD10 (luminal; 17/21, 81.0%). Heterogeneous TTF1 expression was noted in 12 cases. An inverse pattern of GATA3 and TTF1 staining was observed in eight cases (32.0%). Three cases (12.0%) showed moderate-to-strong ER expression in ≥25% of tumor cells, and two cases (8.0%) showed moderate-to-strong PR expression in ≥5% of tumor cells. These hormone receptor-positive MLAs varied in intensity and proportion of GATA3 staining. None of the 25 cases exhibited either diffuse and strong p16 expression or aberrant p53 expression. Five cases (20.0%) showed equivocal HER2 immunoreactivity (score 2+), but HER2 FISH confirmed that none of them exhibited HER2 gene amplification. In summary, a small subset of uterine MLAs displayed atypical IHC results: focal but strong expression of ER or PR, the complete absence of GATA3 immunoreactivity, the concurrent expression of mesonephric and hormone receptors, and the inverse pattern of GATA3 and TTF1 staining. These unusual immunophenotypes may complicate the differential diagnosis of MLA. Moreover, pathologists should be encouraged to interpret the IHC results cautiously.