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Immunohistochemical staining for KIT (CD117) in soft tissue sarcomas is very limited in distribution.

We performed immunohistochemical analysis for KIT in 365 soft tissue sarcomas. Most tumors evaluated were completely negative for KIT, including all cases of leiomyosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, myxofibrosarcoma, liposarcoma, solitary fibrous tumor, synovial sarcoma, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, schwannoma, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, clear cell sarcoma, low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma, and follicular dendritic cell sarcoma. Tumors showing occasional immunoreactivity for KIT included extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma (2/20), Ewing sarcoma/malignant primitive peripheral neuroectodermal tumor (4/20), melanotic schwannoma (3/5), metastatic melanoma (4/20), and angiosarcoma (5/20). In most cases, staining for KIT was focal. Rare tumor cells showing KIT positivity were identified in a small number of other tumors. This study demonstrates very limited expression of KIT in soft tissue tumors other than gastrointestinal stromal tumors and underscores the discriminatory value of KIT immunohistochemical analysis for differential diagnosis. As some of these findings differ markedly from previous reports, it is evident again that variations in immunohistochemical technique can lead to major discrepancies in positive staining. Since treatment eligibility for selective tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as STI571 hinges on positive immunostaining, standardization and reproducibility of meaningful results are critically important.

Chondrosarcoma↗

[Neuroendocrine differentiated carcinoma of the uterine cervix].

Cervical neuroendocrine carcinomas (CNC) are rare tumors. The term includes the cervical carcinoid, the small cell (oat-cell) carcinoma and the primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET). Between 1979 and 1993 eight CNC out of 788 cervical carcinomas were identified by conventional light microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Three tumors were small cell carcinomas with positive staining for NSE (6/8 tumors) and chromogranin A (2/8). In one case a PNET was diagnosed by identifying rosette like structures and negative immunohistochemistry for neuroendocrine markers. Two patients (including PNET) died of disease 3.1 (1.3 to 4.8) years after diagnosis. The others showed no evidence of disease after a mean follow up to 4.4 years. Three of them got pelvic radiation postoperatively. Four tumors showed foci of squamous cell carcinoma [3] and adenocarcinoma [2]. There is no evidence, that these foci influence the prognosis on CNC. Therefore, it is important to recognize the neuroendocrine component, as this type of carcinoma requires special therapeutic considerations. The authors favour the metaplastic origin of CNC from a multipotent (endocervical) stem cell.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Safety and efficacy of a multicenter study using intraarterial chemotherapy in conjunction with osmotic opening of the blood-brain barrier for the treatment of patients with malignant brain tumors.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of intraarterial chemotherapy with osmotic opening of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) for the treatment of malignant brain tumors when administered across multiple centers. METHODS: Patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL), primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET), germ cell tumor, cancer metastasis to the brain, or low or high grade glioma were eligible. Prior to entry, magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography brain scan, medical history, neurologic status, and Karnofsky performance status were reviewed at the coordinating center. Standardized anesthesia and intraarterial catheterization guidelines were followed by a multidisciplinary team at each center. Between March 1994 and November 1997, 5 universities treated 221 adult patients with intraarterial chemotherapy with or without osmotic opening of the BBB (2464 procedures). RESULTS: Of evaluable patients with PCNSL, 40 of 53 (75%) achieved complete response (CR). All evaluable patients with PNET (n = 17), metastatic disease (n = 12), or germ cell tumor (n = 4) achieved stable disease (SD) or better. Of 57 evaluable patients with glioblastoma multiforme, 45 (79%) achieved SD or better. Asymptomatic subintimal tear occurred in 11 of 221 patients (5%), pulmonary embolism in 6 of 221 (2.7%), and renal toxicity in 4 of 221 (1.8%). One patient with extensive glioma expired within 48 hours after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Using standard guidelines and protocols, intraarterial chemotherapy with or without osmotic opening of the BBB is feasible across multiple centers with a low incidence of catheter-related complications. In patients with chemotherapy-sensitive tumors, such as PCNSL, PNET, germ cell tumor, and cancer metastasis to the central nervous system, enhanced delivery results in a high degree of tumor response, with an efficacy profile that is reproducible across multiple centers.

Adult↗

[Epididymal tumor in a six-months-old infant].

A rare tumor of the epididymis was discovered in a 6-month-old infant. Macroscopically, the tumor had a black focal color. Immunohistochemistry staining and electron microscopy led to the diagnosis of mealnotic neuroectodermal tumor, or progonoma. Prognosis of progonoma, a benign tumor, is generally good, but malignant transformation has been reported.

Epididymis↗

Thoracic wall lesions in children.

Our objective was to review the clinical features and radiographic manifestations of chest wall lesions in a pediatric chest unit. Twenty-five patients (11 males and 14 females, aged 14 months to 15 years) were suspected of having a chest wall lesion on the basis of clinical examination and chest radiograph. A retrospective review of clinical characteristics and radiographic findings was performed in order to define the pathology and extent of lesions and outcomes of chest wall diseases in children. Thirty-six percent of pediatric patients studied for thoracic abnormalities had anatomical variations of the thoracic cage such as sternal titling, bifid ribs, and costal cartilage convexities. Tuberculous infections of the sternum and ribs were seen in 4 cases. Osteochondromas were seen in 4 patients, and were especially noted in patients with a history of familial exostosis. Other malignant thoracic wall tumors included in this study included chondrosarcoma (n=1), Ewing's sarcoma (n=1), and primitive neuroectodermal tumor (n=2). In conclusion, the protruding lesions arising from the chest wall demonstrate a wide range of normal, congenital variant, and pathologic lesions arising from the soft tissues and bony components. Those with life-threatening lesions (less likely located in the parasternal region) are more prone to have chest pains and dyspneic respirations; in most cases, plain chest radiographs tend to have a high rate of bony or pleural involvement as well as thoracic deformities. In an endemic area of tuberculosis, costal tuberculosis should be considered in undiagnosed bony lesions; a chest CT scan could be diagnostically useful.

Adolescent↗

Embryonal central neuroepithelial tumors and their differentiating potential. A cytogenetic view of a complex neuro-oncological problem.

The embryonal central nervous system (CNS) neoplasms are reviewed with special reference to their differentiating potential and in the light of current neuro-oncogenetic concepts partly derived from the experimental induction of neural tumors. The conceptual (and, occasionally, practical) distinction between adult-type and embryonal CNS tumors raises a complex problem, because neoplastic transformation essentially involves replicating stem cells in tissues of renewal and because in the human brain such cells are found mostly in the course of CNS development. A cytogenetic scheme is therefore needed to serve as a frame of reference for a classification of embryonal CNS tumors that will account for the different histological entities documented so far and for the range and the restrictions of their differentiating capabilities. Most embryonal CNS tumors can be fitted into such a scheme. The cerebral medulloepithelioma, the cerebral and cerebellar neuroblastomas, the primitive polar spongioblastoma, and the ependymoblastoma show characteristic morphological features and a correspondingly distinctive cellular differentiating potential. The differentiating capabilities of the cerebellar medulloblastoma, the pineoblastoma, and the retinoblastoma are also distinctive, and are apparently determined by the cytogenesis of the area of the CNS in which the tumors originate. The indiscriminate application of a simplistic concept that would include all the so-called "primitive neuroectodermal tumors" into a single neuroepithelial tumor entity is unlikely to bring further understanding to the problem.

Age Factors↗

Reduced or absent expression and codon 201Gly/Arg polymorphism of DCC gene in rhabdomyosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma/PNET family.

Genetic alterations occurring in various chromosomes have been described in many human tumors. The DCC gene was originally identified in colorectal cancer and was reported as a tumor suppressor gene that might be related to tumor metastasis. We investigated 10 cell lines and 15 fresh tumors of childhood rhabdomyosarcoma, 7 cell lines of Ewing's sarcoma, and 4 cell lines of primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) for the expression and mutation of DCC gene by RT-PCR analysis and PCR-single stranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis. Twenty-five pairs of primers were used for PCR-SSCP. Six of ten (60%) cell lines of rhabdomyosarcoma and 3 of 7 (43%) cell lines of Ewing's sarcoma showed reduced or absent expression of DCC gene. There was no mobility shift within 24 exons by SSCP analysis, although 3 types of polymorphism were found at codon 201 in exon 3. Direct sequencing of different bands showed types I, II, and I/II representative of codon 201Gly, codon 201Arg, and codon 201Gly/Arg, respectively. The proportion of type I between fresh rhabdomyosarcoma and normal controls was not significant. Our results suggested that the inactivation of DCC gene may play a role in the pathogenesis of a subset of rhabdomyosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma.

Adolescent↗

Postoperative chemotherapy in children less than 4 years of age with malignant brain tumors: promising initial response to a VETOPEC-based regimen. A Study of the Australian and New Zealand Children's Cancer Study Group (ANZCCSG).

PURPOSE: Postoperative chemotherapy with indefinite postponement of radiation therapy in children < 4 years old with brain tumors was investigated in a multi-institutional study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1991 to 1995, 42 patients aged 3 to 47 months (median 20) with brain tumors were enrolled in a 2-phase chemotherapy protocol: 16 patients had medulloblastoma (MB); 8 had supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET); 14 had ependymoma; and 4 had other tumors. The initial phase was comprised of 4 courses of the 3-drug regimen: vincristine (VCR), etoposide (VP-16), and intensive cyclophosphamide (CPA) in a previously reported schedule (VETOPEC). The continuation phase was comprised of 2-drug courses: A, CPA + VCR; B, cisplatin + VP-16; and C, carboplatin + VP-16, for a total duration of 64 weeks. RESULTS: Response to VETOPEC was evaluable in 28 patients with postresection residual (25) and/or metastatic (1 M2, 6 M3) tumor. There were 9 complete responses (CR) and 9 partial responses (PR) with a combined CR + PR of 64% (95% confidence interval [CI] 44 to 81). In 12 evaluable patients with MB, CR + PR was 82% (48 to 98); in 6 patients with PNET, 50% (12 to 88); and, in 8 patients with ependymoma, 86% (42 to 99). Of 40 patients eligible for further analysis, 6 remain progression-free at a median of 30 months, 14 are alive at a median of 38 months, 29 have progressed at a median of 7 months (range, 2 to 37 months), and 26 have died. The progression-free and overall survival rates at 36 months are estimated to be 11% (95% CI 1 to 22) and 34% (18 to 50), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The initial response to the VETOPEC regimen is encouraging and warrants study of further dose escalation. Survival remains poor with current strategies in this high-risk population.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

[Cytopathology of malignant blastematous tumors].

Since almost all childhood blastematous tumors belong to the group of non hematological small round cell tumors we describe here the cytopathological aspects of the most frequent of these neoplasms i.e. neuroblastoma, nephroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, peripheral neuroectodermic tumors, and emphasize the role of molecular techniques applicable to cytological material obtained from fine-needle aspiration to help the pediatrician in tailoring therapy.

Child↗

Central nervous system medulloepithelioma: a series of eight cases including two arising in the pons.

Medulloepithelioma is an uncommon childhood tumor of the central nervous system (CNS) whose histopathological appearance has been confused with medulloblastoma and other childhood primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs), but which has a vastly different clinical course. The authors have reviewed the clinical features and treatment responses of eight children with these rare tumors, the largest series to date. In this series, the medulloepitheliomas were equally distributed between supratentorial and infratentorial primary sites. Four patients underwent gross- or near-total resections, one patient's tumor was partially resected, and one patient had biopsy only. Biopsy and ablative surgery were not attempted in two children with pontine tumors. Treatment included both radiation and chemotherapy (four patients), radiation alone (one patient), chemotherapy alone (one patient), and no post-operative treatment (two patients). Six patients died with a mean survival of 10 months and two are disease free with neurological impairment. Both long-term survivors underwent gross-total resections of their tumors. Postmortem examination revealed diffuse CNS tumor dissemination in four patients. Medulloepithelioma, often confused with less aggressive PNETs, can mimic intrinsic brainstem glioma, responds poorly to treatment, and is prone to CNS dissemination at the time of tumor progression.

Brain Neoplasms↗

Neuroblastoma-like schwannoma: a case report and review of the literature.

We report a case of schwannoma (neurilemmoma) predominantly composed of small cells arranged in rosettes around central collagenous cores and discuss the differential diagnosis of this unusual variant. Schwannoma with giant rosettes, previously designated as neuroblastoma-like schwannoma by Goldblum et al., must be differentiated from neuroblastoma, peripheral neuroectodermal tumors, and malignant change in a schwannoma.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

EWS fli-1 antisense nanocapsules inhibits ewing sarcoma-related tumor in mice.

EWS Fli-1, a fusion gene resulting from a t(11;22) translocation is found in 90% of both Ewing's sarcoma and primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET). In the present study, we show that recently developed polyisobutylcyanoacrylate nanocapsules with an aqueous core were able to encapsulate efficiently high amounts of phosphorothioate oligonucleotides (ODN) directed against EWS Fli-1 chimeric RNA. Release of these ODN in serum medium was shown to be biphasic which was explained by the presence of two types of nanocapsules able to release ODN with different kinetics. In addition, nanocapsules were found to provide protection of these oligonucleotides from the degradation in serum. These ODN nanocapsules permitted to obtain inhibition of Ewing sarcoma-related tumor in mice after intratumoral injection of a cumulative dose as low as 14.4 nanomoles. This new type of non viral vector shows great potential for in vivo administration of oligonucleotides.

3T3 Cells↗

Formation of undifferentiated mesenteric tumors in transgenic mice expressing human neurotropic polymavirus early protein.

The human polyomavirus, JCV, is the established etiologic agent of the human demyelinating disease, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) seen in immunosuppressed individuals. In PML patients, the viral early protein, which is produced exclusively in glial cells is responsible for initiation of the viral lytic cycle. The JCV early protein, T-antigen, has greater than 70% homology to the well characterized SV40 early protein which has established oncogenic properties. To investigate the role of JCV T-antigen in tumorigenesis, transgenic mice containing the viral early genome were produced. Of the four positive transgenic animals, one developed severe neurological abnormalities and succumbed to death at 3 weeks of age. Another animal died with no visible gross pathology and the cause of death was not determined. The remaining two founders developed massive, undifferentiated, solid mesenteric tumors with no obvious neurological symptoms. Results from histologic analysis demonstrated the presence of highly cellular, poorly differentiated neoplastic cells in the tumor tissue. Electron microscopic evaluation of the tumor revealed the presence of a small blue cell-like tumor of epithelial/neuroectodermal origin. Results from RNA analysis by non-quantitative and highly sensitive RT-PCR indicated the presence of the JCV early transcript in various tissues, including kidney, liver, spleen, heart, lung, and brain, as well as in the tumors. However, analysis of the viral early protein by Western blot and immunohistochemistry indicated high level production of JCV early protein in the tumor tissue, but not in any other tissues. These observations present the first evidence for the development of inheritable neuroectodermal tumors induced by the human polyomavirus, JCV, early protein in a whole animal system.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗

FNA biopsy of small round cell tumors of childhood: cytomorphologic features and the role of ancillary studies.

Pediatric tumors which are conventionally considered to be small round cell tumors (SRCTs) include the prototypical neuroblastoma as well as rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), Ewing's sarcoma (ES), malignant lymphoma, and primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET). Other malignancies may be considered in the differential diagnosis such as small-cell osteogenic sarcoma, undifferentiated (anaplastic) hepatoblastoma, granulocytic sarcoma, blastemal type Wilms' tumor, and desmoplastic small-cell tumor of the peritoneum. The cytomorphologic features of conventional SRCTs is presented as well as the utility of ancillary studies performed on the aspirated material in making a specific and correct diagnosis. The role of the immediate cytologic assessment of the aspirate is stress, since this is a critical step in formulating an initial diagnostic impression that should prompt the need for additional material for pertinent ancillary studies. Although challenging, FNA cytology of SRCTs of childhood can be diagnostic in the majority of cases, allowing specific therapy to be given to patients with unresectable SRCTs without a tissue biopsy as well as documenting recurrent and/or metastatic disease.

Adolescent↗

Family history of cancer and seizures in young children with brain tumors: a report from the Childrens Cancer Group (United States and Canada).

The occurrence of cancer and neurological disorders in first- and second-degree relatives of children in the United States and Canada diagnosed with brain tumor before age six was investigated. A pair-matched case-control study with 155 astrocytoma and 166 primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) cases was performed. Cases were identified through the Childrens Cancer Group. Controls were selected by random-digit dialing and matched to cases on age, race, and telephone area code and exchange. Childhood cancers were more common in PNET relatives compared with the general population (standardized incidence ratio [SIR] = 2.5, 95 percent confidence interval [CI] 1.1-4.8, P = 0.02) and with control relatives (odds ratio [OR] = 3.0, CI = 0.5-30, P = 0.29). For astrocytoma, nonsignificant excesses of brain tumor, leukemia/lymphoma, and childhood cancer occurred among case relatives compared with control relatives, but not compared with the general population. Astrocytoma cases were significantly more likely than controls to have a relative with seizures (OR = 2.5, CI = 1.2-4.9, P = 0.009), especially childhood seizures (OR = 3.4, CI = 1.2-12, P = 0.02), epilepsy (OR = 3.0, CI = 0.9-13, P = 0.08), and febrile convulsions (OR = 4.5, CI = 0.9-43, P = 0.07). A family history of stroke was not a risk factor for either type of brain tumor. These results suggest that some childhood brain tumors may result from a genetic susceptibility and that some risk factors may affect childhood astrocytoma and PNET differently.

Adult↗

Primary endocervical extraosseous Ewing's sarcoma/PNET.

A 36-year-old woman presented with intermenstrual spotting and was found to have a cystic mass involving the uterine cervix on a pelvic ultrasound examination. A necrotic and hemorrhagic tumor was excised by hysterectomy and processed for light and electron microscopic investigation and molecular analysis. Microscopic examination revealed a small round cell tumor that immunohistochemical studies (including staining for the highly restricted surface antigen p30/32MIC2) and ultrastructural studies indicated was an extraosseous Ewing's sarcoma (EES)/primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET). This diagnosis was established by detection of EWS/ERG fusion transcript through reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with nested primers. Full body computed tomography failed to detect any extrauterine tumor, and the patient is clinically free of disease 18 months after hysterectomy. This case represents the first report of a primary EES/PNET arising in the uterine cervix.

Adult↗

Immunohistochemical evaluation of dystrophin expression in small round cell tumors of childhood.

Dystrophin, the protein product of the Duchenne muscular dystrophy locus, is a major component of the subsarcolemmal cytoskeleton in skeletal muscle cells and is a relatively muscle specific protein. We evaluated, retrospectively, the expression of dystrophin in 23 small round cell tumors of childhood including: 9 rhabdomyosarcomas, 4 neuroblastomas, 1 ganglioneuroblastoma, 2 small noncleaved cell lymphomas, 1 lymphoblastic lymphoma, 2 medulloblastomas, 2 primitive neuroectodermal tumors, 1 Wilms' tumor, and 1 undifferentiated sarcoma. Frozen sections were stained by the avidin biotin immunoperoxidase technique using a commercially available monoclonal antibody NCL-DYS1 (Novocastra) that recognizes the mid-rod domain (between amino acids 1181 and 1388) of human dystrophin. Positive controls were represented by frozen sections of normal skeletal muscle. Negative controls consisted of substituting the dystrophin antibody for normal rabbit serum. Eight of nine rhabdomyosarcomas revealed positivity whereas, none of the other tumors stained for dystrophin. This study provides evidence that monoclonal antibodies to dystrophin may be a potential useful addition to the panel of muscle markers used to diagnose small round cell tumors of childhood.

Adult↗

[Primitive neuroectodermal tumor/extraosseus Ewing sarcoma of the temporal bone].

The term primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) should be included in the differential diagnosis of small round blue cell tumors, which come from the neural crest and explain their neuroectodermal character. This is one of the most indifferentiated histological types of malignant tumors. In the PNET family, we high light the Ewing's Sarcoma, that is frecuently located in bony sites and has a less frequent localization in soft tissues. We focus on one atypic case of PNET/Extraosseus Ewing's Sarcoma that involves the external auditory canal and infiltrates the temporal bone. Surgery followed by postoperative chemotherapy and radiation offers the best local control of the disease.

Adult↗