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Apellaniz-Ruiz M, McCluggage WG, Foulkes WD. DICER1-associated embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma and adenosarcoma of the gynecologic tract: Pathology, molecular genetics, and indications for molecular testing. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2020; 60:217-233. [PMID: 33135284 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.22913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Gynecologic sarcomas are uncommon neoplasms, the majority occurring in the uterus. Due to the diverse nature of these, the description of "new" morphological types and the rarity of some of them, pathological diagnosis and treatment is often challenging. Finding genetic alterations specific to, and frequently occurring, in a certain type can aid in the diagnosis. DICER1 is a highly conserved ribonuclease crucial in the biogenesis of microRNAs and mutations in DICER1 (either somatic or germline) have been detected in a wide range of sarcomas including genitourinary embryonal rhabdomyosarcomas (ERMS) and adenosarcomas. Importantly, DICER1-associated sarcomas share morphological features irrespective of the site of origin such that the pathologist can strongly suspect a DICER1 association. A review of the literature shows that almost all gynecologic ERMS reported (outside of the vagina) harbor DICER1 alterations, while approximately 20% of adenosarcomas also do so. These two tumor types exhibit significant morphological overlap and DICER1 tumor testing may be helpful in distinguishing between them, because a negative result makes ERMS unlikely. Given that germline pathogenic DICER1 variants are frequent in uterine (corpus and cervix) ERMS and pathogenic germline variants in this gene cause a hereditary cancer predisposition syndrome (DICER1 syndrome), patients diagnosed with these neoplasms should be referred to medical genetic services. Cooperation between pathologists and geneticists is crucial and will help in improving the diagnosis and management of these uncommon sarcomas.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - W Glenn McCluggage
- Department of Pathology, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, UK
| | - William D Foulkes
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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McCluggage WG, Chong AL, de Kock L, Foulkes WD. Somatic tumour testing establishes that bilateral DICER1-associated ovarian Sertoli-Leydig cell tumours represent independent primary neoplasms. Histopathology 2020; 77:223-230. [PMID: 32333409 DOI: 10.1111/his.14123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Sertoli-Leydig cell tumours (SLCTs) are rare ovarian neoplasms that are commonly associated with somatic or germline DICER1 mutations, especially when of the moderately or poorly differentiated type. A large majority are unilateral, but bilateral neoplasms have been reported, sometimes in the context of germline DICER1 mutations (DICER1 syndrome). It is currently unknown whether these represent independent neoplasms or metastasis from one ovary to the other and we aimed to elucidate this. METHODS AND RESULTS We report three cases of bilateral ovarian SLCT (all in patients with DICER1 syndrome) and review all reported cases of bilateral neoplasms. In the three cases (all moderately or poorly differentiated neoplasms), the time interval between the discovery of the tumours in each ovary ranged from 2.7 years to 6 years. In all cases, different DICER1 somatic hotspot mutations within the two tumours provided definitive proof that they represent independent neoplasms; this may be important clinically. Our literature review revealed that, when this information was available, all patients with bilateral SLCT had a germline DICER1 mutation. CONCLUSIONS Bilateral ovarian SLCTs represent independent rather than metastatic neoplasms, and essentially always occur in the context of DICER1 syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Glenn McCluggage
- Department of Pathology, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, UK
| | - Anne-Laure Chong
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Cancer Axis, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Cancer Research Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Leanne de Kock
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Cancer Axis, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre and Centre for Medical Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - William D Foulkes
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Cancer Axis, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Cancer Research Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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