Primary cutaneous leiomyosarcoma: a histological and immunohistochemical study of 4 cases

Primary cutaneous leiomyosarcoma is an uncommon malignant neoplasm with a predilection for the lower extremities. A retrospective study of 4 cases was undertaken to analyse the clinicopathological characteristics and immunohistochemical profile of these neoplasms with emphasis on prognosis. Two male and 2 female patients aged between 49 and 80 years presented with painless tumours involving the lower lip, the chin, the scrotum and the shoulder. Histological examination of the initial biopsy specimen established a diagnosis of cutaneous leiomyosarcoma. All cases co-expressed smooth muscle actin and vimentin regardless of primary tumour site. Wide surgical excision of the tumour was performed in only 3 cases, and the remaining patient refused further treatment. Of the patients undergoing surgical intervention, local recurrence occurred in one case. No metastases were observed. Long-term follow-up of patients with cutaneous leiomyosarcoma is mandatory to detect local recurrence and distant metastases that can occur even years after the initial excision.

Intracranial medulloepithelioma. A case report and review of the literature

Medulloepithelioma is a rare primitive neuroectodermal tumour of the central nervous system usually developing in childhood, displaying highly malignant behaviour, with early progression or recurrence. The Authors report a new case of intracranial medulloepithelioma removed from the right cerebellar hemisphere of a 13-year-old boy who showed unspecific signs of intracranial hypertension. Based on a review of the thirty seven cases reported in the literature, they analyse the clinical, histological, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural and therapeutic features of this rare nervous system tumour.

Cerebellar liponeurocytoma: a case report and review of the literature

Cerebellar liponeurocytoma has recently been recognised by the 2000 World Health Organisation classification of tumours of the central nervous system as a distinct clinicopathologic entity. To our knowledge, 18 cases have been reported so far, under different names, such as "lipomatous medulloblastoma, lipidized medulloblastoma, neurolipocytoma, medullocytoma and lipomatous glioneurocytoma". The new classification included cerebellar liponeurocytoma in the category of glioneuronal tumours grade I or II because of its favourable clinical behaviour. The origin and nature of the lipomatous component have been matter of debate and make this tumour entity puzzling. We describe a new case of liponeurocytoma removed from the left cerebellar hemisphere of a 38-year-old-woman. The patient showed unspecific signs of intracranial hypertension and symptoms suggesting a posterior fossa lesion.