Ewing's family of tumors involving structures related to the central nervous system: a review

Long-Term Survival after Primary Ewing's Sarcoma of the Skull with Intracranial Extension

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

 Primary Ewing's sarcoma of the skull is a very rare malignant neoplasm, predominantly occurring in children and adolescents. We describe here the clinical, neuroradiologic, and histopathologic features of a patient with primary Ewing's sarcoma of the skull and discuss the standards of therapy for this type of tumor.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

 This 18-year-old male patient presented with a primary Ewing's sarcoma of the skull, involving the dura of the frontal and parietal lobes of the left cerebral hemisphere. He was treated with gross total surgical excision of tumor, skull reconstruction, chemotherapy, and irradiation. Twelve years after the surgery, the patient has no evidence of local recurrence or distant metastases. Radical surgical excision of the primary tumor with safety margins is thought to play a role in the favorable clinical course.

CONCLUSION

 The presented case is the longest surviving patient after treatment of primary Ewing's sarcoma of the skull bone. This rare type of tumor may allow better survival rates under adequate management than sarcoma elsewhere in the body.

Primary Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor of the Spine With t(11;22): Report of 3 Cases and Review of Literature

Intradural extramedullary peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor (pPNET) with t(11;22) is a rare clinical finding in the pediatric population with few published cases in the literature. The authors report 3 cases of intradural primary pPNET and discuss the clinical presentation, treatment, and survival of the patients. Clinicians should be vigilant in considering pPNET in the differential diagnosis of extradural masses. The authors also compare the clinical course and outcome of therapy with primary PNET of the central nervous system and Ewing sarcoma family of tumors. In addition, this report highlights the risk for leptomeningeal dissemination at recurrence and discusses the importance of central nervous system-targeted therapy for durable disease control.

The spectrum of rare central nervous system (CNS) tumors with EWSR1-non-ETS fusions: experience from three pediatric institutions with review of the literature

The group of CNS mesenchymal (non‐meningothelial) and primary glial/neuronal tumors in association with EWSR1‐non‐ETS rearrangements comprises a growing spectrum of entities, mostly reported in isolation with incomplete molecular profiling. Archival files from three pediatric institutions were queried for unusual cases of pediatric (≤21 years) CNS EWSR1‐rearranged tumors confirmed by at least one molecular technique. Extra‐axial tumors and cases with a diagnosis of Ewing sarcoma (EWSR1‐ETS family fusions) were excluded. Additional studies, including anchored multiplex‐PCR with next‐generation sequencing and DNA methylation profiling, were performed as needed to determine fusion partner status and brain tumor methylation class, respectively. Five cases (median 17 years) were identified (M:F of 3:2). Location was parenchymal (n = 3) and undetermined (n = 2) with topographic distributions including posterior fossa (n = 1), frontal (n = 1), temporal (n = 1), parietal (n = 1) and occipital (n = 1) lobes. Final designation with fusion findings included desmoplastic small round cell tumor (EWSR1‐WT1; n = 1) and tumors of uncertain histogenesis (EWSR1‐CREM, n = 1; EWSR1‐CREB1, n = 1; EWSR1‐PLAGL1, n = 1; and EWSR1‐PATZ1, n = 1). Tumors showed a wide spectrum of morphology and biologic behavior. For EWSR1‐CREM, EWSR1‐PLAGL1 and EWSR1‐PATZ1 tumors, no significant methylation scores were reached in the known brain tumor classes. Available outcome (4/5) was reported as favorable (n = 2) and unfavorable (n = 2) with a median follow‐up of 30 months. In conclusion, we describe five primary EWSR1‐non‐ETS fused CNS tumors exhibiting morphologic and biologic heterogeneity and we highlight the clinical importance of determining specific fusion partners to improve diagnostic accuracy, treatment and monitoring. Larger prospective clinicopathological and molecular studies are needed to determine the prognostic implications of histotypes, anatomical location, fusion partners, breakpoints and methylation profiles in patients with these rare tumors.

Primary intracranial dural-based Ewing sarcoma/peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor mimicking a meningioma: A rare tumor with review of literature

Ewing sarcoma/peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor (ES/pPNET) is a malignant small, round cell tumor arising from bone and soft tissue in children and young adults. It can occur at osseous and extraosseous sites. Its usual locations are diaphysis of long bones followed by pelvis, ribs, vertebrae, and rarely skull. We reviewed the literature and PubMed advanced search on ES/pPNET occurring at extraosseous sites, mainly involving the central nervous system (CNS). We reported a case of a 22-year-old male presenting with seizure finally diagnosed as a case of ES/pPNET. The challenges in management of this rare CNS tumor and its differential diagnosis are highlighted. We found that most cases of ES involving CNS represent secondary metastases from extracranial sites of ES/pPNET and there are rare case reports of primary intracranial ES-pPNET. Furthermore, among these intracranial tumors, most common tumors occupy an intraaxial location and only a handful of cases of dural-based or extraaxial tumors mimicking meningioma are reported. Differentiation of pPNET from central PNET (cPNET) is important as it has definitive therapeutic and prognostic implications. Awareness of this entity of ES/pPNET, its rare dural presentation, and differentiation from the more common cPNET is needed for appropriate patient management. Meningeal ES/pPNET has to be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of meningeal tumors eroding bone.

The Importance of Surgery as Part of Multimodal Therapy in Rapid Progressive Primary Extraosseous Ewing Sarcoma of the Cervical Intra- and Epidural Space

Primary extraosseous Ewing sarcomas (EESs) are an extremely rare pathological entity. Less than 32 cases have been reported in the literature. Here we report an uncommon case with very rapid progression in the cervical region with extra- and intradural involvement. We present a thorough review of the literature and discuss possible treatment modalities. The Medline database was searched using the search terms: Ewing sarcoma, extraosseus tumour, treatment, management, cervical spine. A previously healthy 29-year-old man complained of right-sided radiculopathy (C7). Magnetic resonance imaging showed an enhancing foraminal, sandglass shaped neurinoma-like lesion. Surgery revealed an intraand extra-dural lesion, which was histologically diagnosed as Ewing sarcoma. Despite gross total resection, there was a massive symptomatic tumor recurrence within 6 weeks. A second gross total resection was realized. The patient was treated according to the EURO E.W.I.N.G.-Protocol (VIDE) and recovered very well (progression-free interval during therapy). Several decompressive re-surgeries were realized with adjuvant radio-chemotherapy. At the last follow-up (17 months after initial surgery) the patient was in remission with a good quality of live. This case is to illustrate that despite extensive therapeutic efforts, the progression-free survival in case of primary EES may be very short. To maintain neurological function and good quality of live as long as possible, a multimodal strategy seems to be adequate. Like in the present case this implies several surgeries and adjuvant chemo-and radiotherapy. Whether this improves overall survival remains unclear.

A Peripheral Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor with Generalized Bone Metastases in a Puppy

A peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor (pPNET), most consistent with a human Ewing's sarcoma, is described in a 5-month-old male Australian Shepherd puppy. The first tumor site detected was in the left frontal bone of the skull with apparent subsequent rapid metastases to multiple sites in the axial and appendicular skeleton and bone marrow, kidneys, and perihyphophyseal meninges. Radiographically, all bone lesions were lytic and there was also a humeral bone fracture. Histologically, the tumor was diagnosed as a small round blue cell tumor. At this stage, the differential diagnosis included a lymphoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and a PNET of the peripheral nervous system. However, the cells had positive expression of triple neurofilament antigens as detected immunocytochemically. The cells were negative for a broad panel of canine-specific leucocyte cell marker antigens for desmin, smooth muscle actin, synaptophysin, and CD99. Ultrastructurally, the cells contained occasional dense core neurosecretory granules and intermediate filaments with intercellular desmosomal-like junctions and abundant glycogen clusters. Based on the age of the dog, the clinical history, the distribution of gross lesions, histologic characteristics of a small round blue cell tumor, and immunocyto-chemical and ultrastructural evidence of neuroectodermal differentiation, a diagnosis of a pPNET similar to a human Ewing's sarcoma was made.

Primary extraosseous intracranial Ewing's sarcoma: Case report and literature review

Ewing's sarcoma / peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumors occur most often in bone and soft tissues of children and young adults. The intracranial manifestation of the disease is rare, and when present, this is often misdiagnosed with other varieties of primary brain tumors. We report such a case of extraosseous Ewing's sarcoma, which was initially suspected to be a case of meningioma in an 11-year-old girl.

Primary Ewing's sarcoma affecting the central nervous system: a review and proposed prognostic considerations

Ewing's sarcoma (ES) is a part of a larger family of round blue cell tumors, which occasionally manifest as osseous or extraosseous lesions adjacent to or within the central nervous system (CNS). While a large body of literature exists on ES of bone, data are lacking on tumors with cranial or spinal components that affect the CNS. Here, we perform a systematic review of the literature and summarize the best available evidence on diagnosis, treatment and outcomes of ES affecting the CNS with emphasis on the breadth of clinical presentations, diagnostic tools and emerging management options for these rare and challenging lesions. We include a review of known prognostic factors and propose several new considerations for prognostication of ES affecting the CNS.

Cranial Ewing's sarcoma in children

Ewing's sarcoma is a highly malignant neoplasm of bones which accounts for the 10% of primary bone malignancies. Primary Ewing's sarcoma of skull vault is very rare and constitutes 1-6% of all Ewing's sarcomas. We present a case of a primary and a radiation-induced skull Ewing's sarcoma. The symptoms, neuroimaging findings and the treatment for these cases are reviewed. Both children were operated with favorable outcome.

Peripheral Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumour (pPNET) in the cervical spine

Primary spinal primitive neuroectodermal tumours are rare. We present a 45-year-old man with a peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumour arising in the cervical spine. We believe this to be the first report of this type of tumour in the cervical spine.

Case Report: Intracranial peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor - Ewing's sarcoma of dura with transcalvarial-subgaleal extension: An unusual radiological presentation

The occurrence of the intracranial, peripheral, primitive, neuroectodermal tumor, Ewing's sarcoma (pPNET-ES) of the dura, is very rare. Immunophenotypical as well as genetic analyses play key roles in its diagnosis and differentiation from central PNET. We describe here the CT scan and MRI findings of an interesting case of intracranial pPNET-ES arising from the anterior falx cerebri with a trancalvarial-subgaleal extension.

Primary pediatric intraspinal sarcomas. Report of 3 cases

Sarcomas that arise from within the spinal canal are rare, particularly within the pediatric population. In general, these primary intraspinal sarcomas are highly aggressive, posing unique treatment challenges with respect to surgery and choice of adjuvant therapy. The goal must be to obtain the most complete resection possible to minimize the risk of recurrence and metastasis, while preventing potential neurological deficits that may result from aggressive surgery. Among these primary intraspinal sarcomas are malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors and members of the Ewing sarcoma family of tumors. The authors present 3 cases of unique spinal sarcomas in children-2 malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors in patients without neurofibromatosis and an intradural extraosseous Ewing sarcoma arising from the sensory component of a lumbar spinal nerve-and discuss their management and outcome with a review of the current literature.

Primary vaginal extraosseous Ewing sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor with cranial metastasis

Extraosseous Ewing sarcoma is now regarded as a member of the Ewing sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) family. It typically involves the soft tissues of the chest wall, pelvis, paravertebral region, abdominal wall, retroperitoneal region and extremities of children, adolescents and young adults, but it seldom occurs in the female genital tract. We report an extremely rare case of retrospective diagnosis of vaginal extraosseous Ewing sarcoma/PNET which metastasized to the right frontoparietal scalp, skull, and dura. Surgical resection, followed by adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy resulted in a favourable clinical outcome. Both the vaginal and head tumors had similar light microscopic features supporting the diagnosis.

Peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumour in a lumbar vertebra and the liver of a dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius)

A 9-year-old castrated male dromedary camel developed weakness and ataxia, progressing to sternal recumbency and hindlimb paralysis. Necropsy revealed multiple liver tumours and a mass in the 3rd lumbar vertebra, compressing the spinal cord. The hepatic and vertebral masses consisted of uniform sheets of primitive cells, with perivascular pseudorosettes and small numbers of neuroblastic Homer-Wright rosettes. Immunohistochemically, the tumour cells were uniformly positive for vimentin and variably positive for neuron-specific enolase and glial fibrillary acidic protein. The histopathological and immunohistochemical findings indicated a peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumour (pPNET) exhibiting neuroblastic, glial and ependymomatous differentiation, probably reflecting the tumour's primitive multipotential neuroepithelial nature. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case in the camel of a pPNET, presumably intraosseous in origin with hepatic metastasis, and morphologically similar to Ewing's sarcoma in man.

Ewing's sarcoma family tumors mimicking primary central nervous system neoplasms

Ewing's sarcoma family tumors (ESFTs) and embyronal tumors of the central nervous system are malignant primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) that can arise in the central nervous system, bones, or soft tissues. When ESFTs involve the central nervous system or nearby structures the diagnosis depends on cytogenetics and immunohistochemistry as these tumors can appear otherwise histologically identical to central PNETs. Correct diagnosis is essential as the treatment paradigms for both entities differ. We present two cases of isolated central nervous system presentations of ESFTs mimicking primary central nervous system neoplasms.

Primary Ewing's sarcoma: peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumour of the jugular foramen

We describe an extremely rare example of Ewing's sarcoma (ES)/peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumour (pPNET) originating from the jugular foramen. The patient was a 10-year-old boy who presented with progressive symptoms due to right lower cranial nerve palsies. Computed tomographic (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a tumour at the right jugular foramen which showed extra-cranial extension. Open biopsy of the extra-cranial lesion was performed, and diagnosis of ES/pPNET was made by histopathological, immunohistochemical and genetic investigations. The patient received a combination of multi-drug chemotherapy and irradiation. By 12 months after the diagnosis, MRI showed complete remission of the lesion, and the patient has been well apart from slight dysphagia. Previously, there was only one report of a jugular foramen ES/pPNET and in which treatment had failed. To our best knowledge, this is the first patient treated successfully with chemoradiotherapy.

Lumbosacral osseous tumors in children

A wide variety of benign and malignant neoplasms in children involve the lumbosacral region. When a solitary lesion of the lower spine occurs, tumors or tumor-like lesions represent an important group of entities for diagnostic consideration. Diagnostic investigation should begin with a patient history, physical examination, laboratory testing, and radiography. Roentgenograms, which demonstrate bone deviations, should be used as an initial examination. The results should direct further imaging studies, such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and bone scintigraphy. CT should be the chosen modality for delineating tumoral osteoid matrix formation. MRI shows soft-tissue masses and medullary infiltration better than any other radiological modality. A multimodal radiological approach is helpful in the overall evaluation and differential diagnosis of vertebral lesions in children. Although imaging features, especially of benign lesions, may yield a high percentage of accurate diagnoses, in cases with radiological findings highly suggestive of malignancy, a specific diagnosis cannot always be made, and histopathological findings are essential to achieve the diagnosis that will guide the therapy.

Primary Ewing sarcoma of the brain: a case report and literature review

Ewing sarcoma, along with peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor, belongs to a tumor family that shares clinicopathologic and molecular genetic features, including the characteristic chromosomal translocation that results in the fusion of the EWS gene on 22q12 to either the FLI1 gene on 11q24 or other Ets family transcription factor gene, such as the ERG gene on 21q22. In contrast, such translocations are not found in central primitive neuroectodermal tumors (cPNETs), such as medulloblastoma and supratentorial PNET. Ewing sarcoma has only rarely been noted to primarily involve the central nervous system-extraosseous Ewing sarcoma (CNS-EES). We report a case of a 7-year-old girl with an anterior cranial fossa mass. Pathology showed a primitive small blue cell tumor with focal Homer Wright rosette formation. The positive membranous immunostaining for CD99 and the EWS-FLI1 fusion demonstrated by fluorescence in situ hybridization studies confirmed the diagnosis of CNS-EES. Although CNS-EES may look identical to cPNETs, these tumors differ in histogenesis, molecular characteristics, and clinical behavior. Demonstration of characteristic translocations by molecular studies differentiates CNS-EES from cPNET and help clinicians make informed decisions regarding therapy.

Primary peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumors of the spinal cord: report of two cases and review of the literature

Primary intraspinal peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumors (pPNETs) are extremely rare tumors with only seven reported cases in the literature. The histopathologic diagnosis of this tumor is complex and has led to a variety of treatment approaches. The distinction between central and peripheral type primary spinal cord PNETs has not always been made in the literature, leading to a paucity of data in this disease. We present here two young patients with primary intraspinal pPNET, their treatment and outcome. The first patient, a 27 year old male, presented with an intradural mass extending from L2 through L5, after multiple relapses, he is currently alive with disease after 72 months, the longest survival yet reported. The second patient, a 16 year old female, presented with an intradural mass at the cauda equina from L2 through L5, and is currently alive with responsive disease at 5 months after initial diagnosis. Here, we discuss the clinical course, the pathology and treatment for this disease and review the literature.

Meningeal tumors of childhood and infancy. An update and literature review

Meningeal derived tumors of the first 2 decades of life are often diagnostically challenging due to the wide morphologic spectrum encountered and the rarity of most individual entities. The 2 most common patterns include the dural/leptomeningeal-based mass and neoplastic meningitis. Both primary and secondary meningeal presentations may occur, either early or late in the course of various meningothelial, mesenchymal, embryonal, glial, hematopoietic, histiocytic, melanocytic, and inflammatory tumors. As in other areas of pediatric pathology, there are significant differences between this patient cohort and adults, differences which will be emphasized in this review.

Ewing's Sarcoma in the Spinal Nerve Root: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Ewing's sarcoma (ES) is a highly malignant tumor composed of uniform small round cells. Recently, a single biologic entity, Ewing's sarcoma family of tumors (ESFT) has been accepted. The entity includes ES, extraskeletal Ewing's sarcoma (EES) and primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET). ESFT cells have immunoreactivity for CD99, an antigen determined by the MIC2 gene. Most ESFT has the (11;22) (q24;q12) translocation. The translocation results in the fusion of the EWS gene with the transcription factor gene FLI1 which has been considered a hallmark of ESFT. We present an extremely unusual case with ESFT in a spinal nerve root mimicking a neurogenic dumbbell tumor. A male aged 20 years noticed pain in his right buttock. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a mass in the right L5/S intervertebral foramen and the lesions in the sacrum. Surgery was performed with a presumptive diagnosis of a nerve sheath tumor. At surgery, the tumor was located in the right L5 nerve root sleeve. The sacral lesions were observed closely. At one month after surgery, radiologically multiple lesions were detected in the pelvic bones. Microscopically the lesions from the root and ilium were composed of small round cells immunoreactive for CD99. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction detected transcripts resulting from the fusion of the EWS gene with FLI1 genes in the iliac lesion. Immunoreactivity for CD99 and detection of the EWS-FLI1 hybrid transcripts are important for the correct diagnosis of ESFT arising in an unusual location.

Primitive neuroectodermal tumours (PNETs) located in the spinal canal; the relevance of classification as central or peripheral PNET

Intraspinal location of central PNET (cPNET) is very rare. We present a case, critically review all publications of primary intraspinal cPNET occurrence and discuss tendencies in clinical presentation. In several previous attempts to summarise, authors often confused cPNET with peripheral PNET (pPNET). cPNET and pPNET are different entities with different immunohistochemical profiles and genetic backgrounds. Clinically, they are both aggressive tumours, but exhibit different characteristics in their local manifestation and metastatic spread. Survival rates are quite similar provided that treatment is applied according to the established protocols. Protocols in cPNET treatment differ from those for pPNET as regards the order of the treatment sub-modalities, specific chemotherapeutic regimen and intensity, radiation dose and its extent and consequently, the side effects. Therefore, failure to distinguish cPNET from pPNET leads to clinical guidance and treatment proposals based on false assumptions, which might effect outcomes. Often, distinguishing between cPNET and pPNET is easy, because they occur in different location. In the case of intraspinal tumour location, however, the differentiation is crucial because both primary cPNET and pPNET can occur intraspinally, even though this is rare. Nowadays, demonstrating the expression of MIC2 glycoprotein by immunocytochemical staining (CD99) showing the specific EWS-FLI1 chimeric gene presence in pPNET, offers an easy way of making a differential diagnosis between cPNET and pPNET.

Intracranial Ewing sarcoma

The occurrence of primary extraosseous Ewing sarcoma (EES) of the central nervous system (CNS) has only rarely been reported in the literature. It is important to distinguish this entity from the more common central primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) of brain, since the management of these tumors is different from that of EES. We present the clinical, radiologic, and pathologic features of two cases of EES occurring in the brain. The diagnosis was further confirmed by detection of a rearrangement of the FLI1 and/or EWS gene loci in tumors from both patients using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). Although rare, the possibility of EES should be considered particularly when tumors that arise near the meningeal surface of the brain and have the pathologic appearance of a PNET. Demonstration of t(11;22)(q24;q12) by molecular analysis essentially confirms the diagnosis and enables the oncologist to choose appropriate therapy.

Imaging characteristics of primary cranial Ewing sarcoma

BACKGROUND

Ewing sarcoma accounts for 10-15% of all childhood malignant bone tumours and is second in prevalence to osteosarcoma. The skull bones are an unusual site of origin of primary Ewing sarcoma in children. Previous reports concentrate on the neurosurgical aspects and relatively good outcome compared to other bone tumours of the calvarium. Reported cases mainly describe the imaging characteristics on CT.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the MRI and CT features of primary cranial Ewing sarcoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The neuroimaging of three cases of primary cranial Ewing sarcoma are reviewed.

RESULTS

Our three cases show an extra-axial mass that is high attenuation on CT and low signal on T2-weighted MRI. Haemorrhagic components, dural extension and contrast enhancement are also characteristic features.

CONCLUSION

CT attenuation and magnetic resonance signal characteristics reflect sheets of densely packed cells seen in Ewing sarcoma.

Analysis of chromosome abnormalities by comparative genomic hybridization in malignant peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the ovary

OBJECTIVE

Malignant primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) originating from the ovary rather than from the central nervous system is extremely rare. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the chromosomal abnormalities in a case of peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PPNET) arising from the ovary of a girl.

METHODS

The 13-year-old girl underwent exploratory laparotomy because of a huge pelvic tumor in lower abdomen and pelvis. She underwent removal of ovaries, tubes, omentum, peritoneal nodules, and portion of urinary bladder. Tumor specimens were sent for pathology, short-term tissue culture, and for storage in deep freezer for laboratory studies. Immunohistochemical stainings of the tumor with antibodies against O-13 (MIC/CD99), NSE, GFAP, S-100, cytokeratin AE1/AE3, desmin, NF, and AFP were performed. Short-term cell culture of fresh tumor was done for analysis of chromosomal aberrations by the technique of comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). Names of specific genes corresponding to the losses or gains on gene map loci were identified from OMIM (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man) of the NCBI website,. The overexpressions of N-myc and EGFR as well as underexpressions of Rb and ARHI were detected by RT-PCR analysis. The patient expired 17 months later despite of chemotherapy, repeated surgery, and radiation therapy.

RESULT

The histopathology of the specimens revealed malignant neuroectodermal tumor, involving ovaries, tubes, bladder, omentum, and peritoneum. Immunohistochemical stainings of PPNET of the ovary showed positive reaction for O-13 (MIC2/CD99) and NSE, but negative for GFAP, S-100, cytokeratin AE1/AE3, desmin, NF, and AFP. Analysis of CGH revealed multiple chromosomal abnormalities including losses of chromosomes in 1p, 1q, 4q, 6p, 6q, 7q, 8q, 13q, and 19q; as well as gains of chromosomes in 1q, 2p, 7p, 9q, 18q, and Xq. Losses of 13q14.1-q14.2, 1p31, and 4q34-q35 indicated that Rb gene, ARHI, and FAT were deleted. Gains of 2p24.1, 1q23, and 7p12.3-p12.1 demonstrated that N-myc oncogene, FASL, GITRL, and EGFR were amplified. RT-PCR analysis showed that N-myc and EGFR were overexpressed, while Rb and ARHI were underexpressed.

CONCLUSIONS

This report is the first to show multiple chromosomal aberrations in PPENT arising from the ovary. The deletions of Rb, ARHI, and FAT, as well as amplification of N-myc, FASL, GITRL, and EGFR, may be the crucial factors for tumorigenesis and the aggressive biological behavior of PPNET.

Primitive neuroectodermal tumor and extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma arising primarily around the spinal column: report of four cases and a review of the literature

STUDY DESIGN

Report of four cases and a review of the literature.

OBJECTIVES

To study the clinical features and prognosis of primitive neuroectodermal tumor or extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma arising around the spinal column.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Primitive neuroectodermal tumor or extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma that originates around the spinal column is very rare, and its prognosis is very poor.

METHODS

Four patients were diagnosed and underwent treatment.

RESULTS

Although all the patients received high-dose chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy after surgery, three patients died of the disease. Only one patient who received en bloc resection of the tumor combined with multiagent chemotherapy followed by high-dose chemotherapy with peripheral blood stem cell transplantation remains alive and continues to be disease free.

CONCLUSION

The prognosis of the patients with primitive neuroectodermal tumor or extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma around the spinal column is very poor. Multiagent chemotherapy combined with en bloc resection and radiation therapy is the preferred treatment for patients with primitive neuroectodermal tumor or extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma around the spinal column.

Intramedullary Ewing sarcoma of the spinal cord: consequences of molecular diagnostics. Case report

Molecular biological techniques have begun to transform modern medicine. These techniques have shown promise in the pathological diagnosis of difficult or uncommon tumors. Accurate molecular diagnosis of the small round-cell tumors, for example, is especially important because divergent therapies may be required to eradicate such disparate lesions as neuroblastoma, lymphoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, central primitive neuroectodermal tumors/medulloblastoma, or Ewing sarcoma (ES). The authors present an unusual case of a primary, extraosseous ES arising from the intramedullary spinal cord, in which molecular studies were required for specific diagnosis and therapeutic guidance.