Transition from low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma to high-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma

Int J Gynecol Pathol. 2010 Jul;29(4):374-7. doi: 10.1097/PGP.0b013e3181cef14b.

Abstract

We report on a case of a primary low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS) that progressed to a secondary high-grade ESS. In the secondary tumor, the immunohistochemical profile and focal tumor cell proliferation pattern suggested that this tumor was not truly undifferentiated, but possessed features of endometrial stroma. Low-grade ESS of our patient's primary tumor showed p53 protein overexpression, which is unusual in low-grade ESS, and her secondary high-grade ESS showed more prominent p53 immunoreactivity. This indicates that low-grade ESS that shows p53 immunoreactivity might progress to high-grade ESS, and it is considered that such cases of low-grade ESS should pay attention to the prognosis. Immunoreactivity for epidermal growth factor receptor was observed in both tumors, suggesting a relationship between the primary and secondary tumors in our case. Further study requires more immunohistochemical data for cases in which low-grade ESS transitions to high-grade ESS; in particular, data on epidermal growth factor receptor expression are necessary to define new therapeutic strategies for ESS.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / surgery
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Sarcoma, Endometrial Stromal / metabolism
  • Sarcoma, Endometrial Stromal / pathology*
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • ErbB Receptors