Project description:Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS), previously known as malignant fibrous histiocytoma, is a neoplasm that occurs most often in the extremities, trunk, and retroperitoneum. Rarely, UPS can occur in the cardiac chambers and great vessels. The diagnosis of UPS is difficult to establish with noninvasive imaging techniques, and these tumors may be mistaken for benign neoplasms preoperatively. Surgical excision is the standard therapy, although the extent and location of the tumor may limit the ability to perform a complete resection. Adjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiation are often used for incomplete resections. We report the case of a 57-year-old woman with a large right ventricular UPS who presented with signs of right-sided heart failure. Preoperative imaging was suggestive of a myxoma; however, histopathologic evaluation of the specimen confirmed a diagnosis of UPS. Microscopic margins of the specimen were positive, and adjuvant chemotherapy was given. We discuss diagnostic and treatment considerations for this unusual cardiac tumor. <Learning objective: The diagnosis and treatment of primary cardiac tumors are challenging. Noninvasive imaging often lacks the sensitivity and specificity to differentiate between benign and malignant neoplasms. In addition, the extent and location of tumor involvement may limit the ability to perform a complete resection. The diagnosis and treatment of right ventricular undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma are discussed.>.
Project description:BackgroundMetachronous osteosarcoma is a rare form of osteosarcoma. The occurrence of metachronous tumor in soft tissue is exceedingly rare. The pathogenesis of metachronous osteosarcoma, as to whether it represents multiple true primaries or metastatic disease, is still obscure.Case presentationA 49-year-old Indian man presented with progressively increasing swelling in his left hand of 2 months' duration. An X-ray showed a soft tissue lesion. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed a soft tissue mass lesion, with peripheral enhancement and central necrotic areas in radial palmar soft tissue overlying second metacarpophalangeal region with no obvious bony osteolysis. Possibilities of acute abscess, resolving hematoma, or aggressive soft tissue mass lesion were suggested. An incision biopsy showed morphological features of epithelioid osteosarcoma, which was confirmed on immunohistochemistry. A detailed history revealed that our patient was diagnosed as having osteosarcoma of his right leg 3 years previously. Based on history, radiology, morphology, and immunohistochemistry, a final diagnosis of extraskeletal (soft tissue) epithelioid osteogenic sarcoma of the left hand occurring as a metachronous tumor 3 years after diagnosis of primary osteosarcoma in the right leg was given.ConclusionThis is probably the first reported case of extraskeletal (soft tissue) epithelioid osteosarcoma occurring as a metachronous tumor 3 years after diagnosis of primary osteosarcoma in the right leg. The prognosis of metachronous skeletal osteosarcoma is poor as compared to that of relapse limited to lungs. In late metachronous osteosarcoma, combined-modality therapy comprising surgery and aggressive chemotherapy may affect long-term survival. Lifelong follow-up of surviving patients with osteosarcoma is necessary and if metachronous osteosarcoma is discovered, it should be treated with curative intent.
Project description:Epithelioid sarcoma is a rare malignant mesenchymal tumor that represents less than 1% of soft-tissue sarcomas. Despite its slow growth, the overall prognosis is poor with a high rate of local recurrence, lymph-node spread, and hematogenous metastasis. Primary epithelioid sarcoma arising from the spine is extremely rare, with limited data in the literature. We review the existing literature regarding spinal epithelioid sarcoma and report a case of epithelioid sarcoma arising from the spinal cord. A 54 year old male presented with a 1-month history of progressive left upper-limb weakness and numbness. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine showed an enhancing intramedullary mass at the level of T1 also involving the left T1 nerve root. Systemic radiological examination revealed no other lesion at presentation. Surgical excision of the mass was performed, and histology was consistent with epithelioid sarcoma of the spine. Despite adjuvant radiotherapy, there was aggressive local recurrence and development of intracranial metastatic spread. The patient died of the disease within 5 months from presentation. To the best of our knowledge, spinal epithelioid sarcoma arising from the spinal cord has not yet been reported. We review the challenges in diagnosis, surgical treatment, and oncologic outcome of this case.
Project description:BackgroundSarcomas are the most common type of cardiac malignancy, but they are extremely rare. Within this group, angiosarcomas have the highest frequency, followed by undifferentiated sarcomas. This type of tumor has a poor prognosis and a high recurrence rate. Information about these tumors is limited, relying mainly on case reports and autopsy series. The purpose of this case report is to detail the multifaceted approach to diagnosing and managing an undifferentiated cardiac sarcoma and contribute to the literature.Case presentationA 28-year-old man presented with dyspnea and chest pain, which had developed progressively over several weeks. Physical examination revealed low blood pressure, elevated heart rate, and diminished heart sounds. Imaging, including a CT scan, identified a hypodense mass in the right ventricle. Further evaluation through echocardiograms and contrast angiotomography confirmed a mass causing right ventricular obstruction. Part of the tumor was surgically removed and diagnosed as cardiac sarcoma. Histopathological analysis of the mass showed an undifferentiated cardiac sarcoma.ConclusionThis case underscores the significance of including cardiac tumors as a potential cause when diagnosing cardiac masses. It also demonstrates the poor prognosis and tendency for recurrence, while revealing the absence of established management guidelines.
Project description:Epithelioid inflammatory myofibroblastic sarcoma (EIMS) is a rare and aggressive subtype of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor. The disease is associated with rearrangements of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK). In this paper, we present the clinicopathological features and treatment of a female patient diagnosed with EIMS. In 2019, an 18-year-old female patient was admitted to the hospital with abdominal pain. Radiological examinations confirmed a large pelvic mass which was subsequently resected. After re-evaluation of the initial histologic diagnosis, the final diagnosis of EIMS was established. Consequently, due to the lack of response to chemotherapy and deteriorating clinical condition, she began the therapy with ALK inhibitors. In total, the patient was treated with crizotinib, alectinib, and lorlatinib. As a result, after over 4 years since the initial diagnosis, she is still alive with significantly improved clinical condition and quality of life. This paper demonstrates the clinical benefits of sequential therapy of ALK inhibitors and an exceptionally long response to lorlatinib, a third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
Project description:CIC-rearranged sarcomas (CRSs) have recently been characterized as a distinct sarcoma subgroup with a less favorable prognosis compared to other small round cell sarcomas. CRSs share morphologic features with Ewing's sarcoma and prior to 2013 were grouped under undifferentiated sarcomas with round cell phenotype by the WHO classification. In this report, whole-genome sequencing and RNA sequencing were performed for an adolescent male patient with CRS who was diagnosed with undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) by three contemporary institutions. Somatic mutation analysis identified mutations in IQGAP1, CCNC, and ATXN1L in pre- and post-treatment tissue samples, as well as a CIC-DUX4 fusion that was confirmed by qPCR and DUX4 immunohistochemistry. Of particular interest was the overexpression of the translation factor eEF1A1, which has oncogenic properties and has recently been identified as a target of the investigational agent plitidepsin. This case may provide a valuable waypoint in the understanding and classification of CRSs and may provide a rationale for targeting eEF1A1 in similar soft tissue sarcoma cases.
Project description:BackgroundSclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma (SEF) is an extremely rare, aggressive malignant subtype of fibrosarcoma. Only dozens of cases of primary SEF in the bone have been reported so far, without case involving fibula reported in literature to date. Herein we report the first case of primary SEF in the right fibula in a 19-year-old man. In this case report, we firstly give a comprehensive description of fibula SEF, including its complete clinical course and radiological findings.Case presentationA 19-year-old man presented with a half-year history of soreness in the right lower leg. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CE-CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the right lower leg were performed. Based on the radiological examinations, a diagnosis of malignant tumor arising in the fibular diaphysis was made. Final diagnosis of primary SEF in the right fibula was confirmed by histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations after surgical resection. The patient had no signs of recurrence or metastasis during a 24-month follow-up.ConclusionWe report an exceedingly rare case of primary SEF in the right fibula and its radiological features with CE-CT and MRI.
Project description:Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) is a rare type of tumor, and UPS originating in the adrenal gland is even rarer. Up to now, there have been no reports in English literature of UPS originating from the adrenal gland. This case report presents a 44-year-old female patient with UPS of the adrenal gland, who has shown no signs of recurrence or metastasis half a year after undergoing resection of a left adrenal tumor. A retrospective analysis of the patient's diagnosis and treatment process is conducted, with the aim of providing a reference for the diagnosis and treatment of adrenal UPS.
Project description:BackgroundUndifferentiated embryonic sarcoma of the liver (UESL) is a rare primary liver sarcoma that mainly affects children. Since it was first reported in 1978, less than 100 cases of UESL in adults have been reported. Due to the lack of specificity of clinical symptoms and imaging findings, the misdiagnosis rate of UESL is very high, and the definite diagnosis is usually in the late stage. Paraneoplastic syndrome (PNS) is a clinical symptom caused by the production of hormones or hormone-like substances in some tumors. This report describes the clinical diagnosis and treatment of patients with these 2 rare disorders. The imaging, histological, and genetic manifestations of UESL are described. This study provides support for the clinical research progress of UESL.Case descriptionWe report the case of a 57-year-old male with UESL and a progressive abdominal mass. Preoperative fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of intrahepatic mass and postoperative routine pathology showed UESL. Ultrasound examination showed solid intrahepatic mass. Both computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a large necrotic lesion in the right lobe of the liver. Laboratory examination showed leukocytosis [white blood cells (WBC): 10,005/µL]. The percentage of neutrophils increased (Ne%: 85%). Blood glucose was increased [glucose (Glu): 19.27 mmol/L]. Moderate anemia was observed [hemoglobin (Hb): 64 g/L]. Serum tumor markers (including AFP, PIVIKA, CA19-9, and CEA) were normal. Hepatitis virus markers [hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti‑HCV)] were negative. The patient presented with paraneoplastic symptoms such as fever, cough, night sweats, hyperinflammation, and hyperglycemia before surgery. After right hemihepatectomy, the paraneoplastic symptoms disappeared completely, and there was no recurrence in the follow-up for six months.ConclusionsUESL is rare, especially in adults. The clinical manifestations of UESL are very similar to those of liver abscess and liver cystic tumor at the initial stage of the disease, for which differentiation is necessary. UESL should be considered when there is large cystic liver disease. FNAC is a good way to confirm the diagnosis. Complete resection of the tumor and postoperative chemotherapy is still the main treatment for UESL. The long-term effects of the therapeutic agents identified by genetic testing in this patient on the disease remain to be seen.
Project description:Epithelioid sarcoma (ES) is a rare soft tissue sarcoma (STS), with limited therapies available for metastatic disease. Here, we describe a case of a 30-year-old male with ES of the left knee and underwent surgery and radiation therapy for the primary disease. After 2 years, he had local recurrence and underwent extensive resection surgery; however, adjuvant chemotherapies were delayed due to recurrent wound infection. Nine months after the second surgery, progressive disease was confirmed after detection of metastases to the lungs and inguinal lymph nodes. Amputation was performed for the local recurrence, followed by inguinal lymph nodes dissection. Pazopanib was transiently administered but discontinued as a result of wound dehiscence. The tumour specimens were detected with unexpected high level of PD-L1 expression and tumoural infiltrating lymphocytes. Subsequently, he received camrelizumab 2.0 mg/kg every 21 days for 18 cycles with rapid remission of the pulmonary metastases. This promising response to camrelizumab indicates that immunotherapies may be an alternative choice for patients with metastatic ES in lung based on analysing the tumour immune microenvironment.