Malignant Ewing-Like Neoplasm With an EWSR1-KLF15 Fusion: At the Crossroads of a Myoepithelial Carcinoma and a Ewing-Like Sarcoma. A Case Report With Treatment Options

Int J Surg Pathol. 2018 Aug;26(5):440-447. doi: 10.1177/1066896918755009. Epub 2018 Feb 1.

Abstract

We present a case of a malignant Ewing-like neoplasm of the parotid gland in a 20-year-old woman with an EWSR1-KLF15 gene fusion that presented with pulmonary metastasis. Despite the fact that the tumor was essentially immunohistochemically negative for keratins, p63, and p40, we interpret this neoplasm as an unusual form of a high-grade myoepithelial carcinoma based on its focal plasmacytoid cytology, chondromyxoid matrix, SOX10, S100 protein, and calponin expression, and the knowledge that the EWSR1-KLF15 gene fusion has, to date, only been identified in 2 tumors, both myoepithelial carcinomas of the kidney. We also present a cytogenetic analysis of this unusual tumor. This "Ewing-like myoepithelial carcinoma" initially did not respond to 2 cycles of ifosfamide and etoposide alternated with a cycle of cytoxan, adriamycin, and vincristine, a standard regimen for Ewing sarcoma. Subsequent oral pazopanib therapy did result in a reduction of the patient's pulmonary and nodal disease.

Keywords: EWSR1-KLF15; Ewing-like sarcoma; myoepithelial carcinoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Carcinoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Carcinoma / genetics*
  • Carcinoma / pathology
  • Carcinoma / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Lymph Nodes / surgery
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Myoepithelioma / diagnostic imaging
  • Myoepithelioma / genetics*
  • Myoepithelioma / pathology
  • Myoepithelioma / surgery
  • Neck
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / genetics*
  • Parotid Gland / diagnostic imaging
  • Parotid Gland / pathology*
  • Parotid Gland / surgery
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography
  • RNA-Binding Protein EWS / genetics
  • Sarcoma, Ewing / diagnostic imaging
  • Sarcoma, Ewing / genetics*
  • Sarcoma, Ewing / pathology
  • Sarcoma, Ewing / surgery
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • EWSR1 protein, human
  • KLF15 protein, human
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion
  • RNA-Binding Protein EWS