Molecular biology of the Ewing's sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor family

Pancreatic primitive neuroectodermal tumors: Clinical features, treatment, and influencing factors

BACKGROUND

Data on clinical characteristics, treatment outcomes, and prognosis of pancreatic primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) are limited.

AIM

To analyze the clinical data of 30 patients with pancreatic PNETs to identify their clinical characteristics and factors associated with prognosis.

METHODS

We used the keywords "primary neuroectodermal tumor," "digestive tract," "pancreas," "pancreatic," and "gastrointestinal," individually or in combination, to collect data from a global database for all patients with pancreatic PNET to date. Univariate and Cox regression analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors for patient survival.

RESULTS

A total of 30 cases of pancreatic PNET were included in this study: 15 males and 15 females with a mean age of 24 years. The main symptom was abdominal pain (73.3%), and the median tumor size was 7.85 cm. Twenty-four patients (80.0%) underwent surgery and nineteen patients received adjuvant therapy. Local metastasis was observed in 13 patients (43.3%), lymph node metastasis in 10 patients (33.3%), and distant metastasis in 6 patients (20.0%). Local recurrence was observed in 13 patients (43.3%). The median survival time of all patients was 29.4 months, and the overall estimated 1-year and 3-year survival rates were approximately 66.0% and 36.4%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that chemotherapy (P = 0.036), local metastasis (P = 0.041), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.003), distant metastasis (P = 0.049), and surgical margins (P = 0.048) were the prognostic factors affecting survival. Multivariate analysis revealed only lymph node metastasis (P = 0.012) as a prognostic factor.

CONCLUSION

Pancreatic PNET is extremely rare, occurs in young adults, has no apparent sex predisposition, has a high rate of metastasis and early recurrence, and has a very poor prognosis. The diagnosis of pancreatic PNET requires a combination of clinical symptoms, pathologic features, immunohistochemistry, and cytogenetic analysis. Univariate analysis suggested that chemotherapy, metastasis, and surgical margins were prognostic factors affecting survival, and multivariate analysis suggested that lymph node metastasis is an important prognostic factor. Therefore, early diagnosis, early and extensive resection, and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy may help improve prognosis.

Primary and Metastatic Pancreatic Ewing Sarcomas: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Ewing sarcomas are rare tumors arising mainly in the bones and the surrounding soft tissues. Primary extraosseous Ewing sarcomas have also been described in several other organs and locations other than bones, including the pancreas. These tumors have well-defined histological, immunohistochemical, and molecular characteristics. In this manuscript, we present a case of primary Ewing sarcoma of the pancreas in a 29-year-old patient, and we systematically review the literature on both primary and metastatic Ewing sarcomas of the pancreas, describing their clinicopathological characteristics. We also discuss the differential diagnosis and the treatment of this rare entity.

The Impact of Expert Pathology Review and Molecular Diagnostics on the Management of Sarcoma Patients: A Prospective Study of the Hellenic Group of Sarcomas and Rare Cancers

Precise classification of sarcomas is crucial to optimal clinical management. In this prospective, multicenter, observational study within the Hellenic Group of Sarcoma and Rare Cancers (HGSRC), we assessed the effect of expert pathology review, coupled with the application of molecular diagnostics, on the diagnosis and management of sarcoma patients. Newly diagnosed sarcoma patients were addressed by their physicians to one of the two sarcoma pathologists of HGSRC for histopathological diagnostic assessment. RNA next-generation sequencing was performed on all samples using a platform targeting 86 sarcoma gene fusions. Additional molecular methods were performed in the opinion of the expert pathologist. Therefore, the expert pathologist provided a final diagnosis based on the histopathological findings and, when necessary, molecular tests. In total, 128 specimens from 122 patients were assessed. Among the 119 cases in which there was a preliminary diagnosis by a non-sarcoma pathologist, there were 37 modifications in diagnosis (31.1%) by the sarcoma pathologist, resulting in 17 (14.2%) modifications in management. Among the 110 cases in which molecular tests were performed, there were 29 modifications in diagnosis (26.4%) through the genomic results, resulting in 12 (10.9%) modifications in management. Our study confirms that expert pathology review is of utmost importance for optimal sarcoma diagnosis and management and should be assisted by molecular methods in selected cases.

Twenty-year outcome of prevalence, incidence, mortality and survival rate in patients with malignant bone tumors

Malignant bone tumors are a group of rare malignant tumors and our study aimed to update the recent epidemiologic estimates based on the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database. Patients diagnosed with malignant bone tumors from 2000 to 2019 were included and their characteristics were retrospectively described. The limited-duration prevalence, annual age-adjusted incidence and mortality were calculated, and the annual percentage changes were analyzed to quantify the rate change. Finally, observed survival and relative survival rate were illustrated. Subgroup analysis across tumor type, age, gender, tumor Grade, primary tumor site and stage was also performed. As for results, a total of 11 655 eligible patients with malignant bone tumor were selected. Osteosarcoma was the most common tumor type, followed by chondrosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma and chordoma. The estimated limited-duration prevalence of malignant bone tumors increased from 2000 (0.00069%) to 2018 (0.00749%). Steady age-adjusted incidence was observed in all patients during the study period while the highest rate occurred in osteosarcoma. Mortality rates differed in subgroups while elder patients (older than 64 years) presented the highest mortality rate compared to other age groups. In all bone tumors, the 10-year observed survival and relative survival rates were 58.0% and 61.9%, respectively. Chondrosarcoma patients had the best survival outcome, followed by osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, chordoma and other bone tumors. In conclusion, different epidemiologic performance in incidence and mortality was observed across tumor type as well as other demographic and clinicopathological variables, which provide potential suggestion for further adjustment of medical resource.

Genomic Profiling and Clinical Outcomes of Targeted Therapies in Adult Patients with Soft Tissue Sarcomas

Genomic profiling has improved our understanding of the pathogenesis of different cancers and led to the development of several targeted therapies, especially in epithelial tumors. In this review, we focus on the clinical utility of next-generation sequencing (NGS) to inform therapeutics in soft tissue sarcoma (STS). The role of NGS is still controversial in patients with sarcoma, given the low mutational burden and the lack of recurrent targetable alterations in most of the sarcoma histotypes. The clinical impact of genomic profiling in STS has not been investigated prospectively. A limited number of retrospective, mainly single-institution, studies have addressed this issue using various NGS technologies and platforms and a variety of criteria to define a genomic alteration as actionable. Despite the detailed reports on the different gene mutations, fusions, or amplifications that were detected, data on the use and efficacy of targeted treatment are very scarce at present. With the exception of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), these targeted therapies are administered either through off-label prescription of an approved drug or enrollment in a matched clinical trial. Based mainly on anecdotal reports, the outcome of targeted therapies in the different STS histotypes is discussed. Prospective studies are warranted to assess whether genomic profiling improves the management of STS patients.

Renal Ewing sarcoma with extensive neuroectodermal differentiation: Case report and literature review

Ewing sarcoma with renal localization is one of the rarest members of the Ewing sarcoma family with less than 200 cases reported in the Medline database. Considering the fact that the majority of data published on the Ewing sarcoma with neuroectodermal differentiation is obtained through a few case reports and case series, it becomes understandable why we currently have no universally accepted treatment regimens.

Case summary: A 33-year-old patient presented to the Emergency Department with right lumbar pain following a mild trauma and an episode of macroscopic hematuria. Physical examination confirmed hematuria and flank pain and a palpable flank mass was identified. MRI showed a cystic lesion of the upper pole of the right kidney of 127/110/123 mm. After prior agreement of the multidisciplinary team, a 3D laparoscopic right radical nephrectomy was done. The histopathological diagnosis revealed an Ewing sarcoma with extensive neuroectodermal differentiation staged as pT3N1M0L1V2R0. Despite swift implementation of the chemotherapy protocol, the progression of the disease was quickly noted. Currently, one year after diagnosis, the disease is still progressing despite the chemotherapy treatment, the patient being a third line chemotherapy candidate. As renal localization of Ewing sarcoma with extensive neuroectodermal differentiation is extremely rare, multimodal treatment strategies must be established by a multidisciplinary team. Despite its aggressive biological behavior, a proper therapeutic management might increase patient life expectancy.

Practical Management of Adult Ultra-Rare Primary Retroperitoneal Soft Tissue Sarcoma: A Focus on Perivascular Epithelioid Tumours and Extraosseous Ewing Sarcoma

With the exception of well-differentiated liposarcoma, dedifferentiated liposarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, solitary fibrous tumour, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour, and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, the majority of the ≈70 histologic subtypes of retroperitoneal sarcoma are defined as 'ultra-rare' sarcomas, with an incidence of ≤1-5/1,000,000 persons/year. For most of these ultra-rare RPS subtypes, diagnosis and treatment follows international guidelines for the management of more common RPS histologies, with en bloc surgical resection as the mainstay of curative treatment, and enrolment in clinical trials where possible. Because the treatment of RPS is heavily driven by histology, the surgeon must be familiar with specific issues related to the diagnosis and management of ultra-rare sarcoma subtypes. Expert radiological and surgeon reviews are required to differentiate similarly presenting tumours where surgery can be avoided (e.g., angiomyolipoma), or where upfront systemic therapy is indicated (e.g., extraosseous Ewing's sarcoma). Thus, the management of all retroperitoneal sarcomas should occur at a sarcoma referral centre, with a multidisciplinary team of experts dedicated to the surgical and medical management of these rare tumours. In this focused review, we highlight how diagnosis and management of the ultra-rare primary RPS histologies of malignant perivascular epithelioid cell tumour (PEComa), extraosseous Ewing sarcoma (EES), extraosseous osteosarcoma (EOS), and rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) critically diverge from the management of more common RPS subtypes.

Extraosseous Ewing's sarcoma/peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumour of the kidney: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Extraosseous Ewing's sarcoma/peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumours(EWS/pPNETs) of the kidney are rare. Signs and symptoms are atypical in EWS patients. Presenting symptoms include haematuria, abdominal pain, or a palpable mass. A comprehensive review of the literature shows that it is difficult to make an accurate diagnosis based on physical examination alone. The imaging findings of EWS/pPNETs are nonspecific. We used contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) to diagnose an EWS/pPNET in our patient, which had never been reported previously to our knowledge.

CASE PRESENTATION

This article reports the case of a 20-year-old female with an abdominal mass and gross haematuria for 1 month. The ultrasound revealed a hypoechoic mass with a clear margin at the lower pole in the left kidney. CEUS demonstrated signs of annular enhancement and heterogeneous enhancement of the tumour, and simultaneous wash-in was predominant. Computed tomography images showed an elliptical low-density tumour. The patient underwent a left kidney resection, and the pathological diagnosis was an EWS/pPNET. Twenty-one days after the kidney operation, the patient underwent 8 cycles of a CAV (vinorelbine, ifosfamide, epirubicin) + IE (isocyclophosphamide, etoposide) chemotherapy regimen. Subsequently, radiotherapy (dose: 45 Gy, radiation field:the tumour bed following surgical resection) was administered for nearly 30 days. The patient had no signs of local recurrence or metastasis within a follow-up of 4 years.

CONCLUSIONS

As a radiation-free, inexpensive, convenient, and repeatable examination method, ultrasound was the primary choice for kidney examination. Early CEUS was helpful to make an accurate diagnosis. Surgery and adjuvant radiation or chemotherapy administered in a timely manner can prevent further deterioration.

Sacral Ewing sarcoma with rib, lung, and multifocal skull metastases: A rare case report and review of treatments

Ewing sarcoma (ES) rarely derives from the sacrum or mobile spine. The discovery of primary ES with multimetastatic involvements is exceedingly less frequent in clinical practice. A 23-year-old man with initial primary sacral ES developed metastases of rib, lung, and multifocal skull after receiving surgical intervention and series of adjuvant therapies. We provide this very rare case consisting of its clinical features, imaging findings, treatments, and outcomes. Therapeutic modalities of ES are also reviewed in previous published articles. The prognosis of metastatic ES remains dismal; effective therapeutic modalities for ES require multidisciplinary collaboration, with more high-quality clinical trials to promote the optimal protocols.

Ewing's sarcoma of the mandible with multilocular radiolucency

Ewing's sarcoma (ES) is a small blue round cell tumor, malignant in nature typically affecting long bones and pelvis. Occurrence of ES in the head and neck region is rare and is reported to be 2%–3%, of which the chances of having primary lesion are rare. In the head and neck region, it has been reported to strike skull, supraclavicular region, parotid region, orbital floor, nasal cavity, maxilla, mandible and zygoma. We present a case of primary ES of the mandible in a 22-year-old female who reported with a palpable swelling on the lower left part of the face; and intraorally, there was a growth in the molar region. Orthopantomogram showed multilocular radiolucency in the molar–ramus region. The diagnosis was made after surgical resection, histopathology and immunohistochemistry profiling. The patient was treated by cortical segmental resection of mandible combined with chemotherapy and a follow-up was done for 2 years.

Fusion genes in gynecologic tumors: the occurrence, molecular mechanism and prospect for therapy

Gene fusions are thought to be driver mutations in multiple cancers and are an important factor for poor patient prognosis. Most of them appear in specific cancers, thus satisfactory strategies can be developed for the precise treatment of these types of cancer. Currently, there are few targeted drugs to treat gynecologic tumors, and patients with gynecologic cancer often have a poor prognosis because of tumor progression or recurrence. With the application of massively parallel sequencing, a large number of fusion genes have been discovered in gynecologic tumors, and some fusions have been confirmed to be involved in the biological process of tumor progression. To this end, the present article reviews the current research status of all confirmed fusion genes in gynecologic tumors, including their rearrangement mechanism and frequency in ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, endometrial stromal sarcoma, and other types of uterine tumors. We also describe the mechanisms by which fusion genes are generated and their oncogenic mechanism. Finally, we discuss the prospect of fusion genes as therapeutic targets in gynecologic tumors.

Testicular cancer: Biology to bedside

Testicular cancer is the first solid tumor with a remarkably high cure rate. This success was only made possible through collaborative efforts of basic and clinical research. Most patients with distant metastases can be cured. However, the majority of these patients are diagnosed at a young age, leaving many decades for the development of treatment-related complications. This has magnified the importance of research into survivorship issues after exposure to platinum-based chemotherapy. This research, along with research into newer biomarkers that will aid in the diagnosis and surveillance of patients and survivors of testicular cancer, will continue to advance the field and provide new opportunities for these patients. There also remains the need for further therapeutic options for patients who unfortunately do not respond to standard treatment regimens and ultimately die from this disease, including a cohort of patients with late relapses and platinum-refractory disease. Here we discuss the advancements in management that led to a highly curable malignancy, while highlighting difficult situations still left to solve as well as emerging research into novel biomarkers.

Successful Radical Pneumonectomy for a Primitive Neuroendodermal Tumor in the Lung: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Peripheral primitive neuroendodermal tumors (PNETs) and Ewing's sarcoma belong to the Ewing family of tumors and are small round-cell malignancies originating from spinal cord cells. These tumors account for 5% of all small round-cell malignant neoplasms. PNETs that arise from the lung parenchyma without pleural or chest wall involvement are very rare. We report a case of an adult female with a large pulmonary PNET who had given birth just 1 month prior to the diagnosis. She had cough and expectoration for 6 months, and the preoperative examination showed no metastases. Thus, we performed radical pneumonectomy and lymph node dissection. The patient recovered well without surgical complications and was discharged 7 days after the surgery. Postoperative pathology confirmed that the tumor was a small round-cell malignancy, and the tumor cells were positive for CD99, Friend leukemia virus integration 1 (FLI-1), and neuron-specific enolase (NSE), which was consistent with the diagnosis of a PNET. For primary large pulmonary PNETs, radical pneumonectomy may be a safe surgical method, worthy of further application in clinical practice.

[Pediatric bone marrow alterations]

The age-dependent development of the bone marrow follows a constant pattern and has an impact on the localization and morphology of various bone marrow processes. Physiological, reactive and benign bone marrow alterations must be differentiated from inflammatory or malignant infiltrations. In many cases, a specific age distribution pattern and typical morphological characteristics in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enable a diagnostic classification. The only adequate imaging modality that can provide information about the bone marrow composition is MRI.

Congenital primary primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the orbit in a newborn

INTRODUCTION

Primitive neuroectodermal tumors arise from the progenitor cells of the neural crest, in the central nervous system or other peripheral locations.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report a rare case of a congenital malignant tumor, diagnosed as a primary orbital primitive neuroectodermal tumor on histopathological examination.

CONCLUSION

Multidisciplinary management with adjuvant chemotherapy needed for the management of these cases.

Primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the pancreas

Primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) are rare small round cell malignancies closely related to Ewing's sarcoma. Involvement of the abdominal cavity, specifically the pancreas, is extremely rare. PNETs affect predominantly children and young adults. The clinical presentation is mostly vague, with a short history of symptoms even in metastatic disease. Findings on imaging studies are nonspecific. The diagnosis can be suggested by the microscopic appearance of the tumor cells, but should be confirmed by histology, immunohistochemistry, fluorescence in situ hybridization, immunoreactivity evaluation of MIC2-protein (CD99) expression, and when possible testing for the chromosome translocation t(11;22) (q24,q12). In adults, the prognosis is poor with no standard treatment. Here, we present a case of pancreatic PNET in a 61-year-old man who presented with persistent abdominal pain and weight loss.

Extraosseus Ewing's Sarcoma in Pancreas: A Review

Primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET, previously referred to as peripheral neuroepithelioma) are rare malignant tumors with various degrees of differentiation belonging to the Ewing’s family of sarcomas. They are classified as round cell tumors arising from soft tissues. In rare instances, PNETs may arise from solid organs containing neuroendocrine cells of kidney, bladder, heart, lungs, parotid glands and pancreas. Most cases occur in the second decade of life with a slight preponderance in males. PNET of the pancreas is an aggressive tumor with multiple recurrences and a relatively poor prognosis. These tumors should be considered in the differential diagnosis, especially in a diagnosed pancreatic tumor in individuals less than 35 years of age. Due to the nature of the tumor, surgery with subsequent chemoradiation are widely accepted modalities despite the poor prognosis. In this article, we review 25 cases of extraosseous Ewing’s sarcoma (ES) of the pancreas which to the best of our knowledge, enlists most cases reported in the literature thus far. 

Therapeutic strategies for uncommon testis cancer histologies: teratoma with malignant transformation and malignant testicular sex cord stromal tumors

Testicular cancer is the most common solid malignancy in male adolescents and young adults, with germ cell derived seminomas and non-seminomas being by far the most common histologies. Teratoma with somatic-type malignancy is a rare chemo-resistant phenotype of testis cancer associated with poor prognosis in patients with advanced stage disease. Malignant gonadal-stromal tumors comprise 5% of testicular neoplasms and approximately 10% are malignant and considered chemo-radiation resistant. Prognostic factors and treatment strategies for these uncommon histologies are lacking.

Tissue-engineered 3D models for elucidating primary and metastatic bone cancer progression

Malignant bone tumors are aggressive neoplasms which arise from bone tissue or as a result of metastasis. The most prevalent types of cancer, such as breast, prostate, and lung cancer, all preferentially metastasize to bone, yet the role of the bone niche in promoting cancer progression remains poorly understood. Tissue engineering has the potential to bridge this knowledge gap by providing 3D in vitro systems that can be specifically designed to mimic key properties of the bone niche in a more physiologically relevant context than standard 2D culture. Elucidating the crucial components of the bone niche that recruit metastatic cells, support tumor growth, and promote cancer-induced destruction of bone tissue would support efforts for preventing and treating these devastating malignancies. In this review, we summarize recent efforts focused on developing in vitro 3D models of primary bone cancer and bone metastasis using tissue engineering approaches. Such 3D in vitro models can enable the identification of effective therapeutic targets and facilitate high-throughput drug screening to effectively treat bone cancers. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Biomaterials-based 3D culture have been traditionally used for tissue regeneration. Recent research harnessed biomaterials to create 3D in vitro cancer models, with demonstrated advantages over conventional 2D culture in recapitulating tumor progression and drug response in vivo. However, previous work has been largely limited to modeling soft tissue cancer, such as breast cancer and brain cancer. Unlike soft tissues, bone is characterized with high stiffness and mineral content. Primary bone cancer affects mostly children with poor treatment outcomes, and bone is the most common site of cancer metastasis. Here we summarize emerging efforts on engineering 3D bone cancer models using tissue engineering approaches, and future directions needed to further advance this relatively new research area.

Primary Pediatric Renal Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor: A Case Report With Different Stage CT and MRI Images

Ewing sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor (ES/PNET) of the kidney in children younger than 10 years of age is extremely rare. We describe here the case of a 7-year-old female patient who was diagnosed with ES/PNET. The timeframe for this case spanned from 8 months prior to diagnosis until 8 months postsurgical removal of the tumor. In addition, we summarized the cases of PNET in children younger than 10 years of age in the last decade.

Ewing's sarcoma of the cervix: A case report of an unusual diagnosis in pregnancy treated with surgery, adjuvant VIDE and radiotherapy

Ewing's sarcoma of the cervix is a rare entity and presents with considerable challenges in diagnosis and therapy. Herein, we report a case of a cervical Ewing's sarcoma presenting with FIGO stage Ib, diagnosed during the first trimester of the patient's pregnancy. Imaging with CT scans, MRI of her abdomen and PET-CT verified the locoregional extension of the tumor. The diagnosis was confirmed by immunohistochemistry and molecular analysis. Fluorescence in situ hybridization and RT-PCR detected the pathognomonic EWS/FLI fusion gene. Favorable prognostic factors regarding the stage, clinocopathological and molecular characteristics of the tumor are also described. Due to the rarity of the disease, at present, there is no universal consensus on the optimal therapeutic approach. The literature has been reviewed and the therapeutic schemes and available clinical data have been discussed. The patient presented in this case report was treated aggressively with tri-modality therapy and underwent radical hysterectomy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy with Vincristine-Ifosfamide-Doxorubicin-Etoposide and radiotherapy. The patient remains free of this disease 42 months following the diagnosis of her tumor.

Renal primitive neuroectodermal tumor with elevated plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone levels: A case report

Introduction

Primitive neuroectodermal tumors are small round‐cell tumors – Ewing sarcoma family, frequently occurring in the extremities, but rarely in the kidney.

Case presentation

A 58‐year‐old woman presented with whole‐body edema and weakness of lower limb muscles. Computed tomography revealed a left renal tumor, and the plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone level was elevated. The tumor was surgically removed without complications, her plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone reverted to normal levels, and symptoms disappeared after surgery. Histopathological examination revealed a primitive neuroectodermal tumor arising in her kidney. The patient was alive without metastasis 3 years after the surgery.

Conclusion

We report the first case of renal primitive neuroectodermal tumor accompanying elevated plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone levels which are thought to be produced and secreted in an ectopic fashion.

Primitive neuroectodermal tumour with synchronous ipsilateral clear cell carcinoma of the kidney

We report the first case of a synchronous ipsilateral primitive neuroectodermal tumour (PNET) and clear cell renal cell carcinoma of the kidney. A 37-year-old man presented to the emergency department with a 24-hour history of colicky abdominal pain and visible haematuria. He had no relevant surgical or medical history. Physical examination was unremarkable apart from mild left flank tenderness. Triphasic CT of the abdomen and pelvis showed two solid lesions in the left kidney. Further staging CT of the chest showed no evidence of local or distal metastasis. He subsequently underwent laparoscopic radical nephrectomy. Pathological analysis of the kidney showed two synchronous renal tumours, a clear cell carcinoma and PNET of the kidney. The patient received adjuvant chemotherapy according to Ewing's sarcoma chemotherapy protocol. Surveillance CT scans at 3, 6 and 12 months showed no evidence of disease recurrence or metastasis.

[Histopathology and molecular profile of a case of prostatic Ewing sarcoma]

We report a case of Ewing sarcoma localized in the prostate gland of a 33-year-old patient without bone or soft tissue involvement. Evidence of EWS and FLI1 gene translocation was detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). This is an unusual case with an interesting clinical presentation; indeed, only a few cases have been reported to date and not all have the supporting biological studies now considered essential for the diagnosis.

Precision diagnostics of Ewing's sarcoma by liquid biopsy: circulating EWS-FLI1 fusion transcripts

Background:

Limited information is available on the applicative value of liquid biopsy (LB) in rare tumors, including Ewing’s sarcoma (ES). The accepted precision diagnostics standards would greatly benefit from a non-invasive LB test monitoring pathognomonic gene rearrangements in the bloodstream.

Methods:

Tissue and blood samples were collected from six and four ES patients, respectively. Plasma was cleared by two successive rounds of centrifugation and stored frozen until RNA extraction by the QIAmp CNA kit. RNA was retro-transcribed and subjected to real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR). Reactions were set up using two custom primer sets identifying types 1 and 2 EWS-FLI1 fusion transcripts.

Results:

The two prevalent types of EWS-FLI1 rearrangements could be identified using only two sets of polymerase chain reaction primers, regardless of patient-specific EWS-FLI1 DNA breakpoints. RT-qPCR and dPCR discriminated the two variants in five tumor tissue RNAs and in four circulating tumor RNAs (ctRNAs). Of note, EWS-FLI1 molecular diagnosis was possible using blood samples even when tumor tissue was not available. ctRNA levels correlated (p < 0.05) with volume-based positron emission tomography (PET) parameters (metabolic tumor volume and total lesion glycolysis), and allowed the fine tracking of disease course after surgery, during adjuvant as well as neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and at follow up in one patient.

Conclusions:

To our knowledge, this is one of the few single-marker LB assays in solid tumors specifically designed to detect rearranged RNAs in blood, and the first study describing EWS circulating tumor RNAs in ES patients. Altogether, our results support the idea that LB may have a considerable impact on ES patient monitoring and management.

Primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the kidney at the advanced stage: A case series of eight Chinese patients

Primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) rarely occurs as a primary renal neoplasm. Renal (r)PNET is a rare but aggressive neoplasm with poor prognosis; the majority of patients are diagnosed as advanced stage at presentation and face a worse prognosis than patients with localized disease. The present study describes the diagnosis and management of eight cases of rPNET at an advanced stage, who were treated at two institutions [Lingnan Hospital (branch of The Third Affiliated Hospital) and the Cancer Center of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou], from December 2004 to January 2013. The clinical and pathological results of all patients were retrospectively obtained. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to estimate patient survival. The study cohort comprised five males and three females. Radical nephrectomy was performed in seven cases, while the remaining case only received needle biopsy of the tumor. Five cases received adjuvant chemotherapy, while three received no further treatment after surgery. Of note, one case received cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cell immunotherapy combined with surgery and chemotherapy. The overall median survival was 20 months with a 3-year survival rate of 25%. The overall survival of the four patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy following surgery was 36 months, compared with 10 months in the three patients without further treatment. The patient who received CIK cell immunotherapy survived for 20 months. Based on the observations of the present and previous studies, surgical excision and chemotherapy are recommended for treating rPNET at advanced stage. Furthermore, the present study was the first to report on CIK cell immunotherapy for a patient with rPNET, indicating that it may be a promising optional treatment. However, further studies are required to validate the benefit of CIK cells and to establish an appropriate immunotherapy protocol.

Histologic Features and Prognosis of Spinal Intradural Extramedullary Ewing Sarcoma: Case Report, Literature Review, and Analysis of Prognosis

BACKGROUND

Ewing sarcoma is a malignant neoplasm that primarily involves extremity long bones, the pelvis, and soft tissues of children. The intradural extramedullary space is an uncommon location for Ewing sarcoma, and there is therefore a paucity of information regarding the features and natural history of this particular presentation. There is controversy regarding preoperative diagnosis, surgical management, and postoperative care, and there are no accepted standards.

METHODS

Herein we present a 61-year-old man with an L1-3 intradural extramedullary Ewing sarcoma who underwent gross total resection of the tumor via laminectomy. Pathologic analysis revealed a diagnosis of Ewing sarcoma based on the characteristic immunohistochemistry and the presence of EWSR1-FLI1 fusion transcript by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

There have been 28 cases of intradural extramedullary Ewing sarcoma reported in the literature. Out of 29 cases including the current case, 18 cases (62.1%) were men. The median and mean ages were 32 and 34.0 years, respectively, with a peak age group of 10-20 years. Twenty-two of 29 (72.4%) cases involved the lumbar spine, followed by the cervical spine (n = 7, 24.1%). Long-term prognosis was poor, with 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year progression-free survival rate of 75.0%, 56.3%, 37.5%, and 18.8%, respectively. The 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rate was 89.5%, 80.5%, 80.5%, and 43.0%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Herein, we present imaging and pathologic findings of the case with review of the literature.

Adrenal mass of unusual etiology: Ewing sarcoma in a young man

Ewing sarcoma and peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor belong to the Ewing sarcoma (ES) family of tumors originating from a primitive neural tube. We report a 31-year-old man who was admitted to the urology clinic with complaints of fever, nausea, and dysuria. A right-sided adrenal mass was detected during ultrasonography. The lesion was then evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging, which showed areas of necrosis amid heterogeneous solid areas. Whole body scan with 2-deoxy-2-[fluorine-18]fluoro-D-glucose integrated with computed tomography and bone scan studies showed pulmonary and osseous metastatic foci. The mass and right kidney were removed by an open approach. An immunohistochemical and molecular workup enabled the diagnosis of ES. The patient also underwent radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The patient remained in fairly good health during the 18-month follow-up period, but showed progression of all metastatic foci and died 26 months after treatment. In conclusion, adrenal ES should be included in the differential diagnosis of nonfunctional adrenal lesions despite its rare occurrence.

Outcomes of Adults With Ewing Sarcoma Family of Tumors (ESFT) of the Kidney: A Single-Institution Experience

BACKGROUND

Ewing sarcoma family of tumors (ESFT) of the kidney are exceedingly rare. Given the rarity of this neoplasm and the complexity associated with its management, information regarding treatment and outcome is warranted.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of patients with ESFT of the kidney who were treated at MDACC between January 1, 2001 and January 1, 2011. Descriptive statistics were used.

RESULTS

Thirteen patients were identified (median age, 33 y; male:female 11:2). Common presenting symptoms were back pain, flank pain, and hematuria. Six patients had metastatic disease at presentation. Initial diagnostic biopsy was performed in 6 patients. Immunohistochemistry showed strong positivity for CD99 (mic2) and cytogenetic analysis demonstrated evidence of EWSR1 fusion gene in 8 cases. Nine patients underwent nephrectomy. Frequently used chemotherapy regimens consisted of vincristine, doxorubicin, and ifosfamide. Median overall survival was 17.2 months. Three patients were alive at the time of analysis, at 2, 7, and 11 years from diagnosis (the latter without evidence of disease).

CONCLUSIONS

Renal ESFT carry a guarded prognosis with limited response to therapy and short median overall survival. For patients with metastatic disease, diagnostic biopsy and sarcoma-based chemotherapy regimens are recommended as upfront therapeutic strategy. The role of nephrectomy in the metastatic setting is unclear. Future studies with novel therapies are needed.

Radiological features of primitive neuroectodermal tumors in intra-abdominal and retroperitoneal regions: A series of 18 cases

Objectives

To characterize the imaging and clinicopathological features of primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) arising in intra-abdominal and retroperitoneal regions.

Methods

Eighteen patients with histopathologically proven intra-abdominal and retroperitoneal PNET were enrolled; computed tomography was performed for all cases, and magnetic resonance imaging was performed for a single case. Typical computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings, including morphology, texture and enhancement features, as well as clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis data were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

Of eighteen PNET patients, fifteen were male and three were female, with a median age of 36 years (range, 2–65 years). The onset of symptoms was most often nonspecific and insidious. The mean tumor diameter was 7.2 cm (range, 3.0–12.1 cm), with necrosis in fifteen cases, cystic changes in eight, partition structure in five, calcification in five, hemorrhage in two, and mural nodules in one. Contrast enhanced computed tomography showed multiple tiny feeding arteries within the masses in six cases, resulting in a crab-like appearance, and mild ring enhancement pattern in five cases. Eleven cases showed surrounding invasion and metastasis. Of the eighteen PNET cases, nine cases showed smooth, well-defined margins, and nine cases had irregular, ill-defined margins. A median survival was 10.0±1.6 months. However, chemotherapy had efficacy on patients even those with advanced disease.

Conclusions

Primary intra-abdominal and retroperitoneal PNETs are rare, and imaging features documented here may help the diagnosis of this severe disease. Notably, two signs present in retroperitoneal PNET tumors, including a mild ring enhancement pattern and a crab-like appearance of the tiny feeding arteries, may have the potential to help us improve the ability to make a relatively reliable diagnosis.

EWSR1 rearrangement is a frequent event in papillary thyroid carcinoma and in carcinoma of the thyroid with Ewing family tumor elements (CEFTE)

Carcinomas of the thyroid with Ewing family tumor element (CEFTEs) are small-cell thyroid tumors with epithelial differentiation that disclose p63 expression and EWSR1-FLI1 rearrangement, carry a favorable prognosis and may co-exist with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) foci. Two histogenetic hypotheses have been advanced regarding the origin of CEFTEs: arising in PTCs or in solid cell nests (SCN). A total of 3 CEFTEs, 54 PTCs, and 10 SCNs were reviewed, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique was performed in all cases to search for the presence of EWSR1 rearrangements. The three CEFTEs disclosed the EWSR1-FLI1 rearrangement both in the small cell and in the PTC component. Out of the 54 PTC cases, 28 (51.9%) were positive, 20 (37.0%) were negative, and 6 (11.1%) were inconclusive for EWSR1 rearrangement; in two of the positive PTC cases, the EWSR1-FLI1 rearrangement was detected. Classic PTC disclosed more often the EWSR1 rearrangement than other PTC variants (p = 0.031). PTCs with EWSR1 rearrangement disclosed a lower percentage of nuclei with EWSR1 polysomy than those without EWSR1 rearrangement (p = 0.001). Out of the 10 SCNs, 7 (70.0%) were negative and 3 (30.0%) were inconclusive for the EWSR1 rearrangement. Monosomic nuclei were more frequent (mean of 44.3%) in SCNs than in PTCs (p < 0.001). The presence of the EWSR1-FLI1 rearrangement in PTC component of all studied CEFTEs and the existence of the EWSR1 rearrangement in some PTCs favor the origin of CEFTE from PTC. The high frequency of EWSR1 rearrangements in PTC may represent a new diagnostic marker of these tumors.

Primitive neuroectodermal tumour of the cervix: a rare diagnosis

A 48-year-old woman presented with symptoms of lower abdominal pain and vaginal discharge for 6 months. Clinical examination and pelvic ultrasound scan suggested a diagnosis of infected Gartner's cyst, for which she underwent vaginal cystectomy. However, histopathology and immunohistochemistry revealed a diagnosis of primitive neuroectodermal tumour of the cervix. Further investigations revealed the stage to be FIGO IIIB, which was inoperable. She received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (vincristine, adriamycin, cyclophosphamide alternating with ifosfamide, cisplatin and etoposide, every 21 days), but the tumour did not respond to treatment and she was started on radiotherapy with definitive intent (55.8 Gray in 31 fractions over 6.2 weeks). A PET-CT performed 2 months after completion of radiotherapy showed complete response, and she is now receiving adjuvant chemotherapy.

Isolated cardiac peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor: A case report

BACKGROUND

Peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor isolated in the heart, presenting as a primary cardiac tumor is considered as extremely rare.

METHODS

We present a 53-year-old Chinese female with a cardiac tumor which was discovered by CT.

RESULTS

A hypo-intense tumorous mass was shown extending from the left ventricle by Cardiac CT, and fused FDG positron emission tomography demonstrated no other abnormal FDG active lesions in the body. We performed a total resection surgery of the tumor subsequently and the patient recovered well and discharged from hospital 6 d after surgery.

CONCLUSION

The pathological diagnosis was primary cardiac peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor. No tumor recurrence was shown by echocardiography during the 24 months follow-up visits.

Arsenic trioxide potentiates the effectiveness of etoposide in Ewing sarcomas

Ewing sarcomas (ES) are rare mesenchymal tumours, most commonly diagnosed in children and adolescents. Arsenic trioxide (ATO) has been shown to efficiently and selectively target leukaemic blasts as well as solid tumour cells. Since multidrug resistance often occurs in recurrent and metastatic ES, we tested potential additive effects of ATO in combination with the cytostatic drugs etoposide and doxorubicin. The Ewing sarcoma cell lines A673, RD-ES and SK-N-MC as well as mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) for control were treated with ATO, etoposide and doxorubicin in single and combined application. Viability and proliferation (MTS assay, colony formation, 3D spheroid culture) as well as cell death induction (western blot analysis, flow cytometry) were analysed. In the MTS viability assays ATO treatment significantly reduced the metabolic activity of all three ES cell lines (A673, RD-ES and SK-N-MC) examined. Moreover, all ES cell lines were sensitive to etoposide, whereas MSC remained unaffected by the drug concentrations used. With the exception of ATO in RD-ES cells, all drugs induced apoptosis in the ES cell lines, indicated by caspase-3 and PARP cleavage. Combination of the agents potentiated the reduction of viability as well as the inhibitory effect on clonal growth. In addition, cell death induction was obviously enhanced in RD-ES and SK-N-MC cells by a combination of ATO and etoposide compared to single application. Summarised, the combination of low dose, physiologically easily tolerable ATO with commonly used etoposide and doxorubicin concentrations efficiently and selectively suppressed viability and colony formation in ES cell lines, whereas a combination of ATO and etoposide was favourable for cell death induction. In addition to an increase of the effectiveness of the cytostatic drugs and prevention of potential drug resistance, this approach may also reduce toxicity effects, since the individual doses can be reduced.

Primitive neuroectodermal tumor originating from the lung: A case report

Primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) are small, round cell tumors that may be classified as peripheral or central, based on their site of origin. PNETs often arise in the soft tissue or bone of young adults. Although not common, PNETs have been described in other organs, including the gonads, kidneys, myocardium and pancreas, but rarely in the lungs without chest wall or pleural involvement. The present study reports a rare case of peripheral PNET (pPNET), which originated in the lung. A 37-year-old female patient presented at Xuzhou Central Hospital (Xuzhou, China) with a history of a dry cough, mild dyspnea and slight pain in the left chest. Histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses permitted the diagnosis of a pPNET. The patient was treated with surgical resection, followed by chemotherapy (including cyclophosphamide, cisplatin and vincristine), radiotherapy and traditional Chinese medicine (including Kanglaite and Shenqi Fuzheng injections). At the time of writing, the patient was alive with no sign of recurrence and under regular follow-ups at the Outpatient Clinic of Xuzhou Central Hospital.

Exenteration and Custom Implant Brachytherapy as a Treatment for Recurrent Primary Extraskeletal Orbital Ewing Sarcoma

A 6-year-old boy initially presented to an outside hospital with a right orbital mass with biopsy positive for translocation involving EWS RNA-binding protein 1 gene and imaging consistent with primary extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma (ES). There was no evidence of metastatic disease. Patient underwent gross tumor resection and adjuvant chemotherapy (VAdriaC/IE) followed by postoperative 45-Gy proton beam radiation. After 19 months, a solitary in-field local recurrence occurred, which was unsuccessfully surgically resected. Thereafter, treatment commenced with irinotecan and temozolomide, and the patient presented to the center of the authors. MRI showed locally recurrent disease without evidence of metastatic disease. Right orbital exenteration was performed, and an orbital mold was fashioned to deliver brachytherapy. There were no complications. The patient had no evidence of recurrent disease at 37-month follow up. This is the first report of orbital implant brachytherapy for recurrent primary ES of the orbit, and an additional report of primary extraskeletal ES of the orbit, which is a rare primary orbital tumor.

CT and clinical findings of peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumour in children

OBJECTIVE

To describe the clinical, CT and pathological findings of paediatric peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumours (pPNETs) to enhance the recognition of these rare tumours.

METHODS

The clinical, CT and pathological findings of 18 paediatric patients with pPNETs confirmed by biopsy or surgical pathology were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

The age of these 18 paediatric patients with pPNETs ranged from 4 months to 15 years, with a mean age of 7.7 years. The lesions of these 18 paediatric patients with pPNETs were located in the head and neck (n = 4), chest (n = 2), abdomen and pelvic cavity (n = 6), spine (n = 3), ilium (n = 2) and femur (n = 1). Immunohistochemical examination revealed Homer-Wright rosettes in seven lesions, and 94.4% of lesions showed consistent positive staining for CD99. On plain CT images, the majority of pPNETs showed lesions that were ill-defined (72.2%), irregularly shaped (83.3%), heterogeneous (66.7%) or hypodense masses (94.4%), and together with osteolytic bone destruction when the lesion originated in the bone. Calcifications were found in three lesions. After contrast administration, all soft-tissue masses were persistently enhanced heterogeneously with various cystic or necrotic regions, and 71.4% of them had linear enhancement. 94.4% of soft-tissue masses showed a moderate degree of enhancement. Seven cases had lymph node metastasis at diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

Paediatric pPNET can involve any part of the body, and a large, ill-defined, aggressive soft-tissue mass and moderate heterogeneous enhancement with varying cystic regions and linear enhancement, with or without osteolytic bone destruction, on CT images could suggest the diagnosis.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

Primitive neuroectodermal tumours constitute a rare type of malignant neuroectodermal tumours that have chromosomal translocations identical to Ewing's sarcoma, and reports about radiological characteristics of this disease in children are insufficient. This study has described the clinical features and CT and pathological findings in 18 paediatric patients diagnosed with pPNETs in different locations, as a way to enhance the recognition of these tumours and help to differentiate from other types of paediatric malignant bone and soft-tissue tumours.

Nasal Cavity and Paranasal Sinuses

The nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses occupy the top of the upper respiratory tract and form pneumatic spaces connected with the atmosphere. They are located immediately beneath the base of the cranium, where crucial vital structures are harbored. From this region, very much exposed to airborne agents, arise some of the more complex and rare benign and malignant lesions seen in humans, whose difficulties in interpretation make this remarkable territory one of the most challenging in the practice of surgical pathology.

Contents of this chapter cover inflammations and infections, polyps and pseudotumors, fungal and midfacial destructive granulomatous lesions, as well as benign, borderline, and malignant neoplasms. Among the neoplasms, emphasis is made on those entities characteristic or even unique for the sinonasal region, such as Schneiderian papillomas, glomangiopericytoma, intestinal- and non-intestinal-type adenocarcinomas, olfactory neuroblastoma, nasal-type NK-/T-cell lymphoma, and teratocarcinosarcoma. Moreover, recently recognized entities involving this territory, i.e., HPV-related non-keratinizing carcinoma, NUT carcinoma, and SMARCB1-deficient basaloid carcinoma, are also discussed in the light of their specific molecular findings. Furthermore, the text is accompanied by numerous classical and recent references, several tables, and 100 illustrations.

Ewing's sarcoma of the cervix, a diagnostic dilemma: a case report and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

Ewing's sarcoma belongs to a spectrum of neoplastic diseases known as Ewing's family of tumors. This family of tumors is usually seen in osseous sites. Ewing's sarcoma of the cervix is extremely rare, with only 18 cases reported in the English literature. The immunohistochemical profile of Ewing's sarcoma overlaps with other malignancies like small cell carcinoma. The rarity and complex pathologic picture of Ewing's sarcoma of the cervix creates the potential for misdiagnosis. Hence, we believe this case needs to be reported to add to the available literature.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 49-year-old white Caucasian woman presented with vaginal bleeding. A pelvic examination revealed a cystic lesion arising from her cervix. Examination of a biopsy specimen revealed a poorly differentiated neoplasm, with sheets of small hyperchromatic cells, staining weakly for neuroendocrine markers. She was diagnosed with small cell carcinoma and started on concurrent chemotherapy and radiation. However, additional positive immunostaining for CD99 was strongly suggestive of Ewing's sarcoma. Fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed ESWR1 gene rearrangement, confirming Ewing's sarcoma. Our patient underwent surgery, which confirmed stage IIB Ewing's sarcoma. She received adjuvant chemotherapy but died from progressive metastatic disease after four cycles.

CONCLUSION

With early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, Ewing's sarcoma of the cervix can be a potentially curable disease. However, owing to overlapping clinical and histopathological features, the diagnosis poses a challenge to oncologists and pathologists. This article guides pathologists to consider Ewing's sarcoma in the differential diagnosis of small cell carcinoma with weak staining for neuroendocrine markers. This literature review will benefit oncologists encountering this rare entity.

Clinical features and outcomes of infants with Ewing sarcoma under 12 months of age

BACKGROUND

Ewing sarcoma peaks in incidence in adolescence. Infants <12 months old have rarely been reported. We aimed to compare clinical features, treatment, and survival of infants <12 months to those of older pediatric patients with Ewing sarcoma.

PROCEDURE

We utilized the SEER database to identify patients <12 months of age diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma between 1973 and 2011. We used Fisher exact tests to compare clinical features and treatment modalities between these patients and patients aged 1-19 years. We used Kaplan-Meier methods to describe overall survival in these two groups.

RESULTS

Of 1,957 patients in the cohort, 39 (2.0%) were diagnosed at <12 months of age. Infants had a different distribution of primary tumor sites, with lower extremity tumors under represented. Compared to older patients, infants were more likely to have soft tissue tumors (81.6% vs. 27.1%; P < 0.001); have primitive neuroectodermal tumor/Askin tumor (61.5% vs. 19.9%; P < 0.001); and have tumors <8 cm (81.0% vs. 53.2%; P < 0.014). Infants were less likely to receive radiation therapy (13.2% vs. 53.3%; P < 0.001). Infants were at increased risk for early death (P < 0.013 by Wilcoxon), though long-term overall survival was not different between age groups (P < 0.25 by log rank).

CONCLUSIONS

Ewing sarcoma is rare in infants, with different clinical presentations and treatment approaches. These patients appear to be at higher risk for early death, but long-term survival is similar to older pediatric patients.

Picropodophyllin inhibits the growth of Ewing's sarcoma cells through the insulin‑like growth factor‑1 receptor/Akt signaling pathway

Ewing's sarcoma (ES) is the second most common type of pediatric bone tumor, and is associated with a poor prognosis. Picropodophyllin (PPP), a novel selective inhibitor of insulin‑like growth factor‑1 receptor (IGF‑1R), is able to strongly inhibit various types of cancers. However, the effect of IGF‑1R on ES remains unclear. Following treatment with various concentrations of PPP for various times, cell viability was determined using an MTT assay. In addition, cell proliferation and apoptosis was investigated separately by bromodeoxyuridine staining and flow cytometry, respectively. The PPP‑associated signaling pathway was also investigated. The results of the present study suggested that PPP inhibited cell proliferation and viability of A673 and SK‑ES‑1 human Ewing's sarcoma cells in a dose- and time‑dependent manner. In addition, cell apoptosis rates were increased following treatment with PPP. Further investigation of the underlying mechanism revealed that PPP inhibited Akt phosphorylation. Fumonisin B1, an Akt‑specific activator, reversed the inhibitory effects of PPP on cell growth. Furthermore, the results suggested that PPP decreased the expression levels of IGF‑1R, a common activator of Akt signaling. PPP inhibited the growth of human Ewing's sarcoma cells by targeting the IGF‑1R/Akt signaling pathway. Therefore, PPP may prove useful in the development of an effective strategy for the treatment of Ewing's sarcoma.

PNET of the Abdominal Wall: A Rare Presentation

Primitive neuroectodermal tumours (PNETs) are a malignant group of neoplasms and are neuroectodermal in origin. In most large series published to date, peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumours usually present in the second decade of life, with a slight male preponderance. Those which occurs peripherally resemble soft tissue sarcomas. Peripheral PNET is rare in presentation and of which only few cases involving the soft tissues of the abdominal wall have been reported. We present a case affecting a young female who presented to us with a progressively enlarging swelling involving the anterior abdominal wall. She underwent wide excision followed by adjuvant therapy based on final histopathology report.