Primitive neuroectodermal tumors of the female genital tract: A morphologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular study of 19 cases Journal Article


Authors: Chiang, S.; Snuderl, M.; Kojiro-Sanada, S.; Pi-Sunyer, A. Q.; Daya, D.; Hayashi, T.; Bosincu, L.; Ogawa, F.; Rosenberg, A. E.; Horn, L. C.; Wang, L.; Iafrate, A. J.; Oliva, E.
Article Title: Primitive neuroectodermal tumors of the female genital tract: A morphologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular study of 19 cases
Abstract: Primary primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) of the female genital tract is rare, and its proper classification remains unclear. The clinical, histologic, and immunophenotypic features as well as EWSR1 rearrangement status of 19 gynecologic PNETs, including 10 ovarian, 8 uterine, and 1 vulvar tumors, are herein reported. Patient age ranged from 12 to 68 years, with a median age of 20 and 51 years among those with ovarian and uterine PNETs, respectively. Morphologic features of central nervous system (CNS) tumors were seen in 15 PNETs, including 9 medulloblastomas, 3 ependymomas, 2 medulloepitheliomas, and 1 glioblastoma, consistent with central PNET. The remaining 4 PNETs were composed entirely of undifferentiated small round blue cells and were classified as Ewing sarcoma/peripheral PNET. Eight PNETs were associated with another tumor type, including 5 ovarian mature cystic teratomas, 2 endometrial low-grade endometrioid carcinomas, and a uterine carcinosarcoma. By immunohistochemistry, 17 PNETs expressed at least 1 marker of neuronal differentiation, including synaptophysin, NSE, CD56, S100, and chromogranin in 10, 8, 14, 8, and 1 tumors, respectively. GFAP was positive in 4 PNETs, all of which were of central type. Membranous CD99 and nuclear Fli-1 staining was seen in 10 and 16 tumors, respectively, and concurrent expression of both markers was seen in both central and Ewing sarcoma/peripheral PNETs. All tumors expressed vimentin, whereas keratin cocktail (CAM5.2, AE1/AE3) staining was only focally present in 4 PNETs. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was successful in all cases and confirmed EWSR1 rearrangement in 2 of 4 tumors demonstrating morphologic features of Ewing sarcoma/peripheral PNET and concurrent CD99 and Fli-1 expression. In conclusion, central and Ewing sarcoma/peripheral PNETs may be encountered in the female genital tract with central PNETs being more common. Central PNETs show a spectrum of morphologic features that overlaps with CNS tumors but lack EWSR1 rearrangements. GFAP expression supports a morphologic impression of central PNET and is absent in Ewing sarcoma/peripheral PNET. Ewing sarcoma/peripheral PNETs lack morphologic features of CNS tumors. © 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
Keywords: ewing sarcoma; primitive neuroectodermal tumor; ewsr1
Journal Title: American Journal of Surgical Pathology
Volume: 41
Issue: 6
ISSN: 0147-5185
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins  
Date Published: 2017-06-01
Start Page: 761
End Page: 772
Language: English
DOI: 10.1097/PAS.0000000000000831
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 28296680
PMCID: PMC5525138
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 3 July 2017 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Lu Wang
    147 Wang
  2. Sarah   Chiang
    146 Chiang