Uterine endometrial stromal sarcoma with smooth muscle and glandular differentiation

This report describes a uterine tumour exhibiting areas of both endometrial stromal and smooth muscle differentiation. There was extensive intravascular permeation within the myometrium as well as extrauterine vascular involvement. The endometrial stromal component had a myxoid appearance and the smooth muscle component exhibited the typical features of intravenous leiomyomatosis. An additional feature was the presence of numerous benign endometrial-type glands within the neoplasm. In many areas a "zoning" phenomenon was present, with endometrial glands surrounded by endometrial stroma, which was in turn surrounded by smooth muscle. This unique combination of endometrial glands, endometrial stroma, and smooth muscle has, to the best of our knowledge, not been described previously and adds to the morphological spectrum of mixed endometrial stromal-smooth muscle tumours. This report discusses the differential diagnosis of this lesion, which has been designated a low grade endometrial stromal sarcoma with smooth muscle and glandular differentiation.     

Uterine endometrial stromal sarcoma with rhabdoid and smooth muscle differentiation.

Uterine and extrauterine tumors composed of cells featuring endometrial stromal cells often show ovarian sex cord-like structures and smooth muscle differentiation. A few cases of endometrial stromal tumors showing rhabdoid differentiation have been reported. The present case is a 20-year-old woman with endometrial stromal sarcoma that had sex cord-like structures, smooth muscle components and rhabdoid differentiation.     

Low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma with an extensive epithelial-like element

A case of low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma with extensive epithelial-like element (ELE) is reported. This tumor was composed of classical endometrial stromal sarcoma (CESS) showing diffuse proliferation, and ELE occupying approximately 72% of the tumor mass. On immunohistochemistry, ELE was negative for sex-cord differentiation markers, and was positive for myogenic markers used in our investigation, and had a particularly prominent positivity for alpha-smooth muscle actin within the ELE. Therefore, it was considered that ELE showed no true sex cord feature, but smooth muscle differentiation. Moreover, ELE was also positive for CD10, suggesting that it was derived from CESS. It has been reported that there is a distinct clinical behavior between endometrial stromal tumors with abundant ELE and those with limited ELE. In the present case, the Ki-67 labeling index was markedly higher in CESS than in ELE. Therefore, a difference in cell proliferative activity between ELE and CESS might underlie a different clinical prognosis.     

Mixed endometrial stromal and smooth muscle tumor with heart metastasis: report of a case and review of literature

We presented a case of mixed endometrial stromal sarcoma and smooth muscle cell tumor of the uterus with intravenous metastasis into the right heart. 50 hot mutated key genes of solid tumors were detected by next generation sequencing. The literature about the diagnostic and therapeutic strategies of the disease were reviewed.     

High‐grade endometrial stromal sarcoma with smooth muscle and skeletal muscle differentiation: Report of a case with cytomorphologic and immunocytologic analysis

We report a case of high‐grade endometrial stromal sarcoma with cytological and immunocytochemical findings. Cytologically, major tumor cells showed round‐to‐short spindle shapes with round‐ to oval‐shaped nuclei and moderately abundant delicate cytoplasm. Tumor cells with tapered shapes and eccentric nuclei were also observed. A few spindle cells having enlarged cigar‐shaped nuclei with conspicuous nucleoli and delicate wispy cytoplasm, which resembled leiomyosarcoma, were intermingled. One rhabdomyoblast cell with both α‐sarcomeric muscle actin and myoglobin was also observed. Most of the tumor cells, including the leiomyosarcomatous spindle cells, were positive for CD10, and negative for desmin and h‐caldesmon. Accordingly, when relatively monotonous round‐to‐short spindle tumor cells and taper‐shaped tumor cells are observed in the female genital tract, high‐grade endometrial stromal sarcoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis. Immunocytochemistry contributed to the correct diagnosis. This case was high‐grade endometrial stromal sarcoma with smooth muscle and skeletal muscle differentiation. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

子宫内膜间质肉瘤伴多成分分化

目的 探讨子宫内膜间质肉瘤伴多成分分化的临床、病理特征,及其鉴别诊断及预后的意义。方法 观察１７例子宫内膜间质肉瘤的组织形态,部分病例辅以免疫组织化学染色或电镜观察。结果 １３例低度恶性及４例高度恶性子宫内膜间质肉瘤表现多成分分化,其中１３例伴性索样分化,１０例伴平滑肌分化,２例伴骨分化,１例伴横纹肌分化,有９例同时伴２种多成分分化。结论 无论低度恶性或高度恶性的子宫内膜间质肉瘤均可伴多成分分化,以性索样分化与平滑肌分化最常见,少见伴骨分化或横纹肌分化。子宫内膜间质肉瘤的预后与多成分分化的数量及类型关系不大。     

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma with smooth muscle stroma

A recent publication described 5 unusual clear cell renal tumors with prominent smooth muscle stroma that were characterized only by immunostaining. We report 3 additional tumors composed of clear cell renal cell carcinoma intimately admixed with abundant smooth muscle stroma. Epithelial differentiation of the malignant clear cell components and smooth muscle differentiation of the benign spindle cell stroma was confirmed by the immunostaining profiles and by electron microscopy. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of chromosome 3 showed loss of the entire chromosome in 2 cases and loss of 3p in the third case. We therefore interpret these tumors as unique low-grade variants of clear cell renal cell carcinoma that have induced a prolific metaplastic stromal reaction. Extensive tissue sampling and immunostaining are recommended to distinguish cases with an extensive smooth muscle component from morphologically similar but benign lesions including angiomyolipoma, leiomyoma, or mixed epithelial and stromal tumor of the kidney.     

Aspiration biopsy cytology of metastatic endometrial stromal sarcoma and extragenital mixed mesodermal tumor

Aspiration biopsy from metastatic tumors in two cases of endometrial stromal sarcoma and one case of endometrial adenosarcoma revealed malignant endometrial stromal cells with ill-defined cytoplasm and round or oval hyperchromatic nuclei showing irregular chromatin clumping and conspicuous nucleoli. They were seen mainly in clusters. Aspirate from a metastatic tumor of a mixed mesodermal tumor arising from the omentum showed similar malignant endometrial stroma cells, irregular tight clusters of malignant glandular cells having scanty but well-defined cytoplasm and vesicular nuclei with conspicuous nucleoli, and fragments of atypical smooth muscle tissue. The diagnostic malignant endometrial stromal cells in those reported cases did not display any distinctive cellular features permitting their cytologic identification. They were difficult to differentiate from those of other types of sarcoma. In a clinical setting, with a known primary endometrial stromal sarcoma or mixed mesodermal tumor, however, a cytodiagnosis of its metastases may be suggested when malignant endometrial stromal-cell-like cells are seen in aspirated material, oviating an open-tissue biopsy.     

Mixed endometrial stromal and smooth muscle tumor: Report of a case with focal anaplasia and early postoperative lung metastasis

A rare case of a mixed endometrial stromal and smooth muscle tumor arising in the uterus of a 74‐year‐old woman is reported. The patient underwent hysterectomy for an enlarging uterine mass, and a large intramural tumor, showing marked central hyaline necrosis with calcification, was found. The tumor consisted of an admixture of a low‐grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS) and a fascicular proliferation of spindle cells suggesting smooth muscle differentiation, and a characteristic ‘star‐burst’ appearance was found. In the ESS region, there were a few small foci of anaplasia where large polygonal cells with atypical nuclei and abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm proliferated, and the proliferative activity was locally increased in these foci. A small metastatic nodule appeared in the lung nine months after the hysterectomy, and the resected metastatic lesion showed features of anaplastic spindle cell sarcoma which was immunoreactive for CD10 but not for smooth muscle markers. Mixed endometrial stromal and smooth muscle tumors should be regarded as malignant neoplasms with the potential for hematogenous metastasis, particularly when they contain foci of cellular anaplasia.     

Myxoid mixed low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma and smooth muscle tumor of the uterus. Case report

We report the case of a 73-year-old female with myxoid mixed low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma and smooth muscle tumor of the uterus. Grossly, the tumor sized 130 x 130 x 100 mm involved the uterine corpus almost in its entirety. Histologically, the tumor consisted of two cell types. In some areas, the tumor cells showed typical features of endometrial stromal tumors and resembled stromal cells of proliferative endometrium. In other areas, however, the tumor showed smooth muscle features and consisted of larger mostly epitheloid cells with a moderate amount of cytoplasm. In all areas, myxoid changes and multiple hyalinizing giant rosettes were present. The tumor infiltrated the myometrium in a pattern typical of low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells showed expression of vimentin, estrogen and progesterone receptors and variable expression of CD10, α-smooth muscle actin, desmin, h-caldesmon, and cytokeratin AE1/AE3. Other markers examined including CD99, α-inhibin, cytokeratin CAM5.2, S-100 protein, and HMB45 were negative. To the best of our knowledge, mixed low-grade endometrial stromal and smooth muscle tumor with myxoid changes has not been described to date.     

Endometrial stromal tumors: an update on a group of tumors with a protean phenotype

Endometrial stromal tumors are reviewed with emphasis on their wide morphologic spectrum and problems in differential diagnosis, highlighting issues that have received particular attention in the recent literature. These neoplasms are divided into two major categories--endometrial stromal nodules and endometrial stromal sarcomas--a distinction made on the basis of the lack of significant infiltration at the periphery of the former. The division of endometrial stromal sarcomas into low-grade and high-grade categories has fallen out of favor and the designation endometrial stromal sarcoma is now considered best restricted to neoplasms that were formally referred to as "low-grade" stromal sarcoma. Endometrial sarcomas without recognizable evidence of a definite endometrial stromal phenotype, designated poorly differentiated "endometrial sarcomas," are almost invariably high grade and often resemble the mesenchymal component of a malignant mullerian mixed tumor. Two features of endometrial stromal tumors that may cause confusion are smooth muscle differentiation and epithelial patterns. Cases in the former category often have a characteristic "starburst" pattern of collagen formation. The most common epithelial patterns resemble those seen in ovarian sex-cord stromal tumors. Much less common is endometrioid gland differentiation. Some endometrial stromal tumors have a prominent fibrous or myxoid appearance and the myxoid tumors should be distinguished from myxoid leiomyosarcoma. Other unusual features of endometrial stromal tumors are also discussed. Lesions in the differential diagnosis of uterine endometrial stromal neoplasms include highly cellular leiomyoma, cellular intravenous leiomyomatosis, adenomyosis with sparse glands, metastatic carcinoma, and lymphoma. Endometrial stromal sarcomas at extrauterine sites may be primary or metastatic from a uterine tumor, the latter sometimes being occult and difficult to definitively establish, particularly if there is a history of a remote hysterectomy for "leiomyomas." Endometrial stromal sarcomas of the ovary, whether primary or metastatic, may be difficult to distinguish from ovarian sex-cord stromal tumors. Extragenital endometrial stromal sarcomas may be confused with diverse lesions such as gastrointestinal stromal tumors, hemangiopericytoma, lymphangiomyomatosis, or mesenchymal cystic hamartoma of the lung. Immunohistochemistry may play a role in evaluating these tumors and in some instances establishing the diagnosis although conventional light microscopic analysis suffices in the majority of cases. The unusual tumor, the "uterine tumor resembling an ovarian sex-cord tumor," is also considered in this review as it is almost certainly of endometrial stromal derivation in many cases. These neoplasms may have a striking resemblance to granulosa cell tumors or Sertoli cell tumors, including those with a retiform pattern, and have recently been shown to be frequently inhibin positive.     

Unusual case of uterine intravascular leiomyomatosis with lymphatic spread to pelvic lymph nodes

Intravascular leiomyomatosis is a rare disease characterized by extension of benign smooth muscle proliferation into uterine and pelvic vessels. The involved vessels are almost always veins and rarely lymphatics. Intraarterial growth has not been described. Intravascular leiomyomatosis can show different morphologic features that are commonly described in leiomyomas. The differential diagnosis includes endometrial stromal sarcoma, lymphangioleiomyomatosis and leiomyosarcoma. Immunohistochemistry is helpful to establish a correct diagnosis. The condition is histologically benign; however, these lesions can spread by the venous system into the inferior vena cava, heart, and lungs. Treatment of this condition is surgical. The spread of intravenous leiomyomatosis exclusively by uterine lymphatics to the pelvic lymph nodes has not been previously reported.     

Myxoid mesenchymal tumors of uterus: endometrial stromal and smooth muscle tumors, myxoid variant

Four myxoid variant of uterine mesenchymal tumors are reported. One was a low grade stromal sarcoma with infiltrative margins and the others were well circumscribed tumors corresponding to an endometrial stromal nodule and two leiomyomas. They were hypocellular neoplasms composed of stellated cells with an abundant Alcian Blue positive myxoid matrix. The myxoid nature of the neoplasms obscured their cellular nature and made the distinction between smooth muscle and endometrial stromal tumors difficult. Endometrial stromal tumors, showed very focal areas of small basophilic cells, characteristic of endometrial stroma. The diagnosis was based on the presence of a spiral arteriolar network, a CD10 positivity as well as the absence of h-caldesmon and desmin expression. The two myxoid leiomyomas showed more spindle cells and a desmin expression while h-caldesmon was negative and CD10 focally positive in both cases. Myxoid variant of endometrial stromal tumors does not necessarily exhibit the typical morphology of endometrial stroma. They may demonstrate morphological features of smooth muscle tumors in the uterus. Also, myxoid changes in uterin smooth muscle tumors may modify the classical immunoreactivity of smooth muscle markers in these tumors and make it difficult to distinguish between benign and malignant neoplasms. An immunohistochemical panel of antibodies including CD10, h-caldesmon and desmin may help in establishing the correct diagnosis.     

Myxoid endometrial stromal sarcoma of the uterus

A rare case of a myxoid type of endometrial stromal sarcoma of the uterus in a 41-year-old woman is reported. A tumor was found in the myometrium and was well circumscribed, measuring 9 x 7 x 7 cm in size. The tumor was mainly composed of a hypocellular area with tumor cells separated by prominent myxoid stroma. The tumor cells were spindle-shaped and resembled endometrial stromal cells. Numerous small thin-walled vessels were seen throughout the tumor. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were diffusely stained for estrogen and progesterone receptors and CD10, and focally and weakly for HHF35, alpha-smooth muscle actin and desmin, but not stained for h-caldesmon. These results indicated that the tumor originated from endometrial stromal cells. The tumor had an increased mitotic activity (MIB-1 labeling index: 1-10%), and focally showed nuclear pleomorphism. Thus, this tumor had a malignant potential and was diagnosed as a myxoid type of low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma. The patient is currently well with no evidence of local recurrence or metastasis 21 months after the operation. This case indicates a wide morphological spectrum of endometrial stromal tumor. A myxoid endometrial stromal sarcoma should be considered in the different diagnosis of the intramural myxoid tumors in the uterus.     

Endometrial stromal nodule with smooth muscle differentiation

Uterine tumors composed of a prominent component of smooth muscle and endometrial stroma (so-called stromomyoma) are distinctly uncommon. This article describes the morphological features of one such tumor discovered as an incidental finding in a hysterectomy specimen of a 49-year-old lady with a clinical diagnosis of dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Morphological and immunohistochemical (IHC) evaluation were performed and a final diagnosis of endometrial stromal nodule with smooth muscle differentiation was rendered.     

The diagnosis of uterine leiomyosarcoma and endometrial stromal sarcoma]

The diagnostic problems in uterine smooth muscle tumors and endometrial stromal tumors are reviewed and discussed with analysis of 14 selective cases collected from the affiliated hospital. Data suggested that, in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant uterine smooth muscle tumors, it is not comprehensive to use mitotic activity as the only criterion. Nuclear atypia and some other clinico-pathological features should be considered together, and, it is important to recognize the "mitotic active" leiomyoma which runs a benign course despite a high mitotic rate. In endometrial stromal sarcoma, the growth pattern and the extent of tumor spreading seem not closely correlated with the mitotic activity, nor the atypia, and, the clinical stage was considered as a significant reference in the prognosis. Thus, it is suggested that the differentiation of endometrial stromal sarcoma into low and high malignancy according to the mitotic rate alone is not the best reliable guide in evaluating the tumor behavior. It is emphasized that the extent of spreading of the tumor should be stated in the diagnosis. Immunohistochemical study revealed that the sex cord element in endometrial stromal sarcoma and other uterine tumors expressed a myogenous rather than an epithelial phenotype.     

Adenosarcoma of the Uterus with Extensive Smooth Muscle Differentiation: Ultrastructural Study and Review of the Literature

Four cases of Mullerian adenosarcoma were studied by light and electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. All 4 cases showed the histologic characteristics of adenosarcoma with benign endometrial glands and a malignant stroma. Ultrastructurally, the epithelial component in all cases had the appearance of proliferative endometrial glands, and the malignant mesenchymal cells showed features of endometrial stroma. A distinct basal lamina separating glands from stroma was present. In addition, 2 of the cases showed extensive smooth muscle differentiation which was associated with sarcomatous overgrowth. The smooth muscle features were confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Multiple theories of the histogenesis of this tumor are discussed.     

Antibody specific to muscle actins in the diagnosis and classification of soft tissue tumors

A series of soft tissue tumors, melanomas, carcinomas, and lymphomas were studied immunohistochemically for the presence of muscle actins (MA) with the monoclonal antibody HHF-35, and for the presence of desmin for comparison. In nonneoplastic tissues, MA immunoreactivity was present in skeletal and smooth muscle cells, in the pericytes of small vessels, and in the myoepithelial cells. Desmin immunoreactivity had a similar distribution, except that the pericytes of small vessels and myoepithelial cells were negative. All 17 rhabdomyosarcomas were positive for both MA and desmin. Of leiomyosarcomas, 31/32 were positive for MA, and 29/32 for desmin. In pleomorphic undifferentiated sarcomas (malignant fibrous histiocytomas) MA and desmin-positive cells were present in 9/35 and 5/35 cases, respectively. Three of five pleomorphic liposarcomas showed MA-positive tumor cells, which were also desmin-positive in one case. Desmoid tumors often showed a moderate number of both desmin- and MA-positive cells. Hemangiopericytoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, and endometrial stromal sarcoma showed MA-positive staining only in the pericytes and not in the neoplastic cells. In various types of carcinomas, melanomas, and lymphomas, MA- or desmin-positive neoplastic cells were not identified. MA, but not desmin, was present in the desmoplastic stroma in many carcinomas. Both MA and desmin are good markers for muscle differentiation and especially serve to identify rhabdomyosarcomas and leiomyosarcomas. These markers are also present in some sarcomas currently regarded as nonmuscle tumors. This may suggest that some of these tumors have differentiation properties related to true myosarcomas. The absence of muscle actin, a pericytic marker, in hemangiopericytoma does not confirm the concept of pericytic nature of this tumor.     

CD10 is a sensitive and diagnostically useful immunohistochemical marker of normal endometrial stroma and of endometrial stromal neoplasms

AIMS: The CD10 antigen is expressed in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and follicle centre cell lymphoma. A recent study investigating the expression of CD10 in a wide range of non-haematopoietic neoplasms found positive staining in a small number of endometrial stromal sarcomas as well as in normal endometrial stroma. The present study aimed to ascertain whether CD10 positivity is indeed found in normal endometrial stroma and endometrial stromal neoplasms. Staining of a range of tumours which can be confused morphologically with endometrial stromal neoplasms was also undertaken to ascertain whether antibodies against CD10 are of value in a diagnostic sense. METHODS AND RESULTS: Neoplasms included in the study were endometrial stromal nodule (n=1), low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS) (n=13), high-grade ESS (n=6), mixed endometrial stromal-smooth muscle tumour (n=1), uterine cellular leiomyoma (n=10), uterine leiomyosarcoma (n=5), adult granulosa cell tumour (AGCT) (n=10), undifferentiated endometrial carcinoma (n=6), uterine carcinosarcoma with an endometrial stromal component (n=1) and type II uterine mesenchymal tumour with sex cord-like elements (n=1). Cases of proliferative (n=5), secretory (n=5) and atrophic (n=3) endometrium were also stained. There was positive staining of stroma but not of glands in all cases of non-tumorous endometrium. There was positive staining of the endometrial stromal nodule and of all low-grade ESS. Staining in these varied but was often diffuse and of moderate to strong intensity. There was positive staining of four of six high-grade ESS, but this was usually focal. There was also positive staining of the endometrial stromal component in the mixed endometrial stromal-smooth muscle tumour and in the uterine carcinosarcoma. Most cellular leiomyomas were completely negative although three exhibited weak positivity. There was some positivity, usually focal or weak, of three of five leiomyosarcomas. Most AGCT and undifferentiated carcinomas were completely negative although one case of each exhibited focal staining. There was focal staining of the type II uterine mesenchymal tumour with sex cord-like elements. CONCLUSION: CD10 is a reliable and sensitive immunohistochemical marker of normal endometrial stroma. Positivity, which is often strong and/or diffuse is found in endometrial stromal nodules and low-grade ESS. Positive staining with CD10, when strong and diffuse, may be useful in distinguishing these tumours from histological mimics, especially cellular leiomyoma and AGCT which are generally negative. In this situation, CD10 should be used as part of a panel which might include desmin and alpha-inhibin depending on the differential diagnosis considered. Positive staining with CD10 in a high-grade uterine sarcoma which is negative with muscle markers might indicate endometrial stromal differentiation and identify a group of neoplasms which it is correct to diagnose as high-grade ESS rather than undifferentiated uterine sarcoma.