Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor of the Liver: A Case Report

The Value of H3K27me3 Immunohistochemistry in Differentiating Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumour with Its Histologic Mimickers

Background:

Diagnosis of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) is rather challenging due to its divergent morphologic heterogeneity and lack of specific ancillary test. The emergence of H3K27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) as a new immunohistochemistry (IHC) marker for MPNST have recently available to assist pathologists in differentiating MPNST from other histologic mimics. We aim to study the expression pattern of H3K27me3 in MPNST and its histologic mimickers and their association with the clinicopathological data.

Methodology:

A total of 59 benign and malignant spindle cell tumours (18 MPNST and 41 of its histologic mimickers which included 10 schwannoma, 13 neurofibroma, 4 synovial sarcoma, 3 fibrosarcoma, 2 gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST), 4 leiomyosarcoma, 1 spindle cell liposarcoma, 1 solitary fibrous tumour, 2 low grade fibromyxoid sarcoma and 1 unclassified spindle cell sarcoma), diagnosed from January 1998 to April 2018 in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) were tested for H3K27me3 by IHC. The MPNST histological grade was assessed based on the French Fe’de’ ration Nationale des Centres de LutteContre le Cancer (FNCLCC) for 3 tiers system (low grade, intermediate grade and high grade). The clinicopathological data were retrieved from the patients’ record.

Results:

A total of 61.1% (11/18 MPNST) showed loss of H3K27me3 expression which is statistically significant as compared to its histologic mimics (p<0.001). Similar findings (p=0.026) were also observed in high grade MPNST (81.8%), intermediate grade MPNST (100%) and 0% in low grade MPNST.

Conclusion:

H3K27me3, combined with other panel of markers, is useful in MPNST diagnosis to differentiate it from the histological mimickers.

Neural and neurogenic tumours of the gastroenteropancreaticobiliary tract

Neural lesions occur uncommonly in the gastroenteropancreaticobiliary tract. However, due to the growing number of screening colonoscopy procedures, polypoid neural lesions of the colon are being recognised increasingly and range from benign tumours to high-grade malignant neoplasms. Morphological variability of neural tumours can be wide, although some entities share pathological features, and, as such, these lesions can be diagnostically challenging. We review the spectrum of pathology of neural tumours in the gastroenteropancreaticobiliary tract, with the goal of providing a practical approach for practising surgical pathologists.

Characteristics of Hepatic Schwannoma Presenting as an Unusual Multi-cystic Mass on Gadoxetic Acid Disodium-enhanced MR Imaging

Hepatic schwannoma is a very rare hepatic tumor, usually appearing as a hypervascular solid mass with or without various degrees of cystic changes; however, to the best of our knowledge, only the two cases of hepatic schwannoma showing a multi-cystic appearance have previously been reported. We report herein a benign hepatic schwannoma presenting as an unusually large multi-cystic mass. The gadoxetic acid disodium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging features are described with the histopathologic correlation and briefly review the literature. The solid-like areas showing the early/progressive enhancement, reflecting remnants of the Antoni A/B portion, during the dynamic phases may be helpful imaging features for the differentiation of other multi-cystic hepatic lesions, but pathological evaluation remains essential for diagnosis.

Primary hepatic malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor successfully treated with combination therapy: a case report and literature review

Primary malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) in a young female patient, not associated with neurofibromatosis type-I is extremely rare in the liver. A 33-year-old female was admitted with a right flank pain for a weak. The CT scan showed 12.5-cm-sized mass located at the right hepatic lobe. At laparotomy, about 20.0-cm-sized mass was on the right hepatic lobe with attachment to right diaphragmatic pleura. Right hepatic lobe and adherent part of diaphragmatic pleura were resected. On histology and immunohistochemistry, it was diagnosed MPNST. Adjuvant radiotherapy for the right diaphragmatic pleura and adjuvant chemotherapy with adriamycin, ifosfamide and cisplatin were sequentially performed. The prognosis of MPNST is generally poor and it is associated with a highly aggressive course of recurrence, metastases, and death. Our case is probably a first report about combination therapy.

Primary hepatic schwannoma: A case report

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A hepatic schwannoma is extremely rare and difficult to diagnose preoperatively.

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We attempted to gain the radiological feature of the hepatic schwannoma by reviewing case reports.

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If the hepatic tumor is diagnosed as a schwannoma preoperatively, surgical resection is highly recommended.

Introduction

A hepatic schwannoma is extremely rare and difficult to diagnose preoperatively.

Presentation of case

We report the case of a 47-year-old male patient who was referred to our hospital for the close investigation of a hepatic tumor which had not been detected two years earlier. An enhanced computed tomography revealed a well-circumscribed and encapsulated tumor with a size of 50 mm which was adjacent to the inferior vena cava (IVC) and the right hepatic vein. The tumor was heterogeneously enhanced until the equilibrium phase. A magnetic resonance image showed a hypointense area on a T1-weighted image and a hyperintense area on a T2-weighted image. These findings differed from those of common malignant hepatic tumors, such as hepatocellular carcinoma and colorectal liver metastases. The tumor was most likely a mucus-producing tumor or a liquefactive degenerated adenocarcinoma. Although we could not confirm an exact diagnosis of the tumor, we performed a surgical resection in view of the possibility of malignancy. The patient underwent a limited liver resection with resection of the IVC. Histologically, the tumor was diagnosed as a benign schwannoma comprised of Antoni A and B areas. The nuclear palisading formation of the tumor showed Verocay bodies.

Discussion

15 cases of hepatic schwannoma are reviewed to clarify the typical radiological features. The radiological findings of the present case were consistent with those of the hepatic schwannoma when considering retrospectively.

Conclusion

A precise preoperative diagnosis of hepatic schwannoma is difficult, and liver resection is recommended when a hepatic schwannoma is suspected.

Hepatic schwannoma: A case report and an updated 40-year review of the literature yielding 30 cases

Hepatic schwannoma is a rare benign disease with a good prognosis. Early diagnosis is difficult due to the absence of specific clinical presentations and its rarity. The present study briefly described a 64-year-old female patient with hepatic schwannoma mimicking intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Furthermore, the clinical data of 30 patients with hepatic schwannoma were also reviewed and analyzed. The mean age of the 30 patients was 51.7 years (range, 21-83 years) and ~2/3 were female. All patients in the benign group underwent surgical treatment and survived until the last follow-up, of whom 19 received complete resection and the remaining 1 underwent liver transplantation. However, in the malignant group, only three cases who underwent the surgical resection remained alive at last follow-up. Another seven cases were succumbed to mortality, 4 cases of whom had deteriorated to have no operation opportunity by the time they saw a doctor, and among the remaining three cases with hepatectomy, 1 died of liver dysfunction at 21 days postoperatively, 2 succumbed to recurrences at 18 and 23 months postoperatively. In conclusion, hepatic schwannoma is a rare benign disease with a good prognosis. However, once the malignant transformation occurs, the prognosis is not satisfied. Complete resection is the mainstay for cure and liver transplantation is often necessary.

An update on primary hepatic solitary fibrous tumor: An examination of the clinical and pathological features of four case studies and a literature review

BACKGROUND

Primary hepatic solitary fibrous tumor is a rare neoplasm that originates in the submesothelial tissue of the liver and is frequently misdiagnosed because of its rarity and unfamiliar characteristics.

AIM

To analyze, summarize and update the clinical and pathological features of primary hepatic solitary fibrous tumor.

METHODS

We systematically extract the clinical data of 4 cases from the relevant medical records, analyze the macroscopic, histological and immunohistochemical features and review the 59 previously reported cases in the English literatures.

RESULTS

The patients' mean age 50.75 years (range, 49-52 years), and the gender ratio was 1:1. The tumors ranged in size from 2.3 to 12.0cm (average diameter, 7.85cm). The tumors were composed of spindle cells with oval, fusiform or banded nuclei that were arranged in bundled, storiform or peculiar random patterns. Mitosis and hemangiopericytoma-like vessels were occasionally observed. Immunohistochemically, three cases were positive for Signal transduction and activator of transcription 6, cluster of differentiation 34, B-cell lymphoma-2 and vimentin but were negative for nervous, muscular and hepatocellular markers. Hepatic lobectomy was performed in all cases, and one patient received adjuvant chemotherapy simultaneously. One patient suffered two recurrences without metastasis, and the remaining patients experienced favorable outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

A consensus on the essential and definite diagnostic criteria for primary hepatic solitary fibrous tumor must be reached in a timely manner. Signal transduction and activator of transcription 6 is a highly sensitive and specific immunohistochemical marker for primary hepatic solitary fibrous tumor.

Sarcomas of abdominal organs: computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings

Sarcomas originating from abdominal organs are extremely rare, and literature in which investigators focus on their imaging features is scarce. This article aims to review the computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging features of these rare tumors and to help in clinical diagnosis. Various sarcomas (eg, angiosarcoma, undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, carcinosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma) originating, respectively, from different abdominal visceral organs (liver, pancreas, spleen, kidney, adrenal gland, uterus, and prostate gland) are reviewed along with cases we encountered.

Primary malignant liver mesenchymal tumor: A case report

Primary malignant liver mesenchymal tumor is a rare condition defined as a tumor with vascular, fibrous, adipose, and other mesenchymal tissue differentiation. We report a case of primary malignant liver mesenchymal tumor in a 51-year-old male with anemia, weight loss and hepatomegaly. Finally unconventional liver biopsy and histological manifestation led to the definitive diagnosis.