BACKGROUND: We investigated the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH), and determined whether these could be useful as prognostic factors. METHODS: Among patients treated from 1993 to 2007, 30 cases of MFH were evaluated. Immunohistochemical staining was performed for MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 using paraffin wax-embedded blocks of MFH tissues. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot and zymography were performed using fresh tissues obtained from 17 of the 30 cases. The levels of MMP and TIMP expression were compared between the MFH and normal control groups, and between non-metastatic and metastatic MFH groups. RESULTS: Expression levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 were higher in the MFH group than the control group by RT-PCR, Western blotting, and zymography. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that MMP-2 and MMP-9 protein expression was higher in the metastatic than in the non-metastatic group. The expression levels of MMP-2 and TIMP-1 were significantly higher in the metastatic than in the non-metastatic group (p < 0.05) by RT-PCR. By Western blot analysis, the expression levels of MMP-2, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 were higher in the metastatic group (p < 0.05), but MMP-9 showed only a slight increase in the metastatic group compared with the non-metastatic group (p > 0.05). Finally, gelatin zymography analysis showed that the expression levels of the pro- and active forms of MMP-2 were significantly higher in the metastatic group (p < 0.05), but the expression of the pro- and active forms of MMP-9 showed a slight decrease in the metastatic group (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 may have important roles in the development and progression of MFH, and that the degree of expression of these metalloproteinases and their inhibitors, especially MMP-2, could be useful as prognostic factors related to metastasis in MFH.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous/*metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2/*biosynthesis ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/*biosynthesis ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1/*biosynthesis ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2/*biosynthesis

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathologic characteristics and diagnostic criteria of interdigitating dendritic cell sarcoma/tumor (IDCS/T).

METHODSThe clinical features, histologic findings and results of immunohistochemical study in six cases of IDCS/T were analyzed, with review of literature.

RESULTSThe age of patients ranged from 20 to 68 years. The sites of involvement included lymph node, tonsil and soft tissue. Histologically, the tumor cells were arranged in sheets, fascicles or whorls and intimately admixed with abundant lymphocytes and plasma cells. They were oval to spindly in shape and contained pale eosinophilic cytoplasm, oval nuclei and distinct nucleoli.Immunohistochemical study showed that the tumor cells were positive for S-100 protein and CD68.

CONCLUSIONSIDCS/T is a rare malignant tumor with poor prognosis. It carries distinctive histologic pattern and immunophenotype. The entity needs to be distinguished from follicular dendritic cell sarcoma/tumor, anaplastic large cell lymphoma and other spindle cell sarcomas in occurring soft tissue.

Adult ; Aged ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic ; metabolism ; Dendritic Cell Sarcoma, Follicular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Dendritic Cell Sarcoma, Interdigitating ; metabolism ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; S100 Proteins ; metabolism ; Sarcoma ; pathology ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Thigh ; Tonsillar Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Vimentin ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical pathological features of fibrosarcomatous dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (FS-DFSP).

METHODSThe clinical history, histopathological features and immunohistochemical characteristics were analyzed in twelve cases of FS-DFSP from January 1997 to February 2011, and related literature were reviewed.

RESULTSAge of the patients (2 females, 10 males) at diagnosis ranged from 41 to 70 years (mean 53 years). Among the 12 cases of FS-DFSP, 9 cases aroused in recurrent ordinary DFSP. Histologically, FS areas in FS-DFSP were characterized by a fascicular and highly cellular histology, frequently showing a characteristic herringbone pattern. FS-DFSP showed diminishment of CD34 staining in FS areas. The labeling index of Ki-67 was much higher in the FS areas (10%-40%) than that in the conventional DFSP areas (2%-5%). All the patients were treated by operation with local excision or wide excision. Postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy was administered in two cases respectively. Follow-up information in 9 of 12 patients (9 to 86 months) revealed local recurrence in 6 patients. Distant metastases were seen in two patients. One patient was died in the follow up period.

CONCLUSIONSFS-DFSP is a rare and unique subtype of DFSP and is associated with significant elevated risk of both local and distance metastasis, usually followed by poor outcome. Compared to ordinary DFSP as a borderline neoplasm, FS-DFSP should be considered as a malignant tumor.

Adult ; Aged ; Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Dermatofibrosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Fibroma ; pathology ; Fibrosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous ; pathology ; Humans ; Ki-67 Antigen ; metabolism ; Lung Neoplasms ; secondary ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo study the clinicopathologic features, immunophenotype, molecular genetics and differential diagnosis of solid variant of angiomatoid fibrous histocytoma.

METHODSThe clinicopathologic features of 3 cases of solid variant of angiomatoid fibrous histocytoma were analyzed and the literature was reviewed.

RESULTSThere were a total of 2 males and 1 female. The age of patients ranged from 9 to 12 years. The patients presented with a painless mass located in left forearm, left knee or back. The lesions were treated by complete surgical resection. On gross examination, the tumors varied from 1.6 cm to 4.5 cm in greatest dimension. They were well-circumscribed and had pale yellow to grayish-red solid cut surface. Histologically, the tumor was composed of histocytoid cells arranged in sheet-like pattern. A fibrous pseudocapsule surrounded by lymphocytes and plasma cells was identified. Immunohistochemical study showed that the tumor cells in all cases were positive for vimentin and CD68. They were negative for S100 protein, cytokeratin, CD34, CD31, smooth muscle actin, CD35, CD21 and CD30. Two cases also expressed CD99 and one of them was positive for desmin and epithelial membrane antigen. Fluorescence in-situ hybridization was positive for EWSR1 gene.

CONCLUSIONSSolid type represents a variant of angiomatoid fibrous histocytoma and is considered as tumor of borderline malignant potential. Definitive diagnosis requires thorough histologic examination and clinical correlation. Immunohistochemistry and EWSR1 gene study are helpful in further delineation and differential diagnosis. Complete resection or wide local excision with post-operative follow up is the main modality of treatment.

Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic ; metabolism ; Back ; Calmodulin-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Child ; Dendritic Cell Sarcoma, Follicular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Forearm ; Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Knee ; Male ; Neoplasms, Muscle Tissue ; pathology ; Neurilemmoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA-Binding Protein EWS ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Vimentin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinicopathologic characteristics, differential diagnosis and biologic behaviors of pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma (PRMS).

METHODSThe clinical findings, pathological features and immunophenotypes were reviewed in 44 cases of PRMS (encountered during the period from 2005 to 2012). The clinical outcome was analyzed.

RESULTSThere were 33 males and 11 females with age ranging from 2 to 85 years (mean, 51 years; median, 55 years). Of 44 tumors, 22 occurred in the extremities (50.0%), 16 in the trunk (36.4%), 5 in the internal organs (11.4%), and 1 in the head and neck (2.2%). Histologically, 40 tumors showed features of pleomorphic sarcoma with striking resemblance to undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS)/malignant fibrous histiocytoma(MFH). However, variable amount of pleomorphic rhabdomyoblasts (PRMB) were identified in most cases. The remaining 4 tumors were composed predominantly of fascicles of spindle cells with interspersed PRMBs. Immunohistiochemically, tumor cells showed diffuse staining of desmin (41/41,100%), with variable expression of myogenin (18/32, 56.3%), MyoD1 (10/21, 47.6%) and MSA (21/29, 72.4%), whereas α-SMA was negative in most cases. Follow-up data (range, 2 to 51 months) available in 29 cases showed 12 patients were alive with unresectable or recurrent disease and 17 patients were alive with no evidence of disease. The median disease-free and overall survivals was 6.0 months (mean, 9.1 months) and 8.0 months (mean, 11.2 months) respectively. Thirteen patients (44.8%) exhibited progression of disease with recurrence in 4 cases and metastasis in 9 cases. The median interval to progression was 6.0 months (mean, 5.9 months).

CONCLUSIONSThe presence of pleomorphic cells with strong eosinphilic cytoplasm in a pleomorphic sarcoma is suggestive of a PRMS. Diffuse, strong expression of desmin and negative staining for α-SMA further facilitate the diagnosis of PRMS and its differential diagnosis from pleomorphic leiomyosarcoma. Although PRMS may affect children or adolescents, it should be cautious not to misdiagnose anaplastic rhabdomyosarcoma as PRMS. PRMS is a high-grade sarcoma with a poor prognosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Chemoradiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Desmin ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Extremities ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; secondary ; Male ; Middle Aged ; MyoD Protein ; metabolism ; Myogenin ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Retrospective Studies ; Rhabdomyosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; secondary ; surgery ; therapy ; Survival Rate ; Young Adult

Actins ; metabolism ; Dermatofibrosarcoma ; classification ; pathology ; Desmin ; metabolism ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous ; classification ; metabolism ; pathology ; Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous ; classification ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; metabolism ; Skin Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Vimentin ; metabolism ; Xanthomatosis ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo study the disease spectrum, clinical and pathologic features of primary cardiac neoplasms at a single medical institution during a period of eight years.

METHODSThe clinical and pathologic features of 81 cases of primary cardiac neoplasms encountered at the Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Qingdao University from January, 2004 to December, 2011, either for cardiovascular surgery or as pathology consultation cases, were retrospectively reviewed. Immunohistochemical study was carried out in selected examples.

RESULTSAmongst the 81 cases studied, 73 cases (90.1%) were benign and 8 cases (9.9%) were malignant. Cardiac myxomas accounted for 97.3% (71/73) of all the benign cases. Six of the 8 malignant cases represented soft tissue sarcomas. The commonest presenting symptom was dyspnea. The histologic subtypes included myxoma (number = 71), angiosarcoma (number = 2), malignant fibrous histiocytoma (number = 2), hemangioma (number = 1), liposarcoma (number = 1), lymphoma (number = 1), myxofibrosarcoma (number = 1) and papillary fibroelastoma (number = 1).

CONCLUSIONSWhile the majority of primary cardiac neoplasms are myxomas, other tumor types do exist. Accurate histologic diagnosis and timely surgery are crucial in patient management.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Female ; Fibroma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Fibrosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Hemangioma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Hemangiosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Liposarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Lymphoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myxoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Sarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Vimentin ; metabolism ; Young Adult

Abdominal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adolescent ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Fibroblasts ; metabolism ; pathology ; Groin ; Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Keratins ; metabolism ; Lymph Nodes ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Melanoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Vimentin ; metabolism

Aged, 80 and over ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Fasciitis ; pathology ; Fibroblasts ; pathology ; Fibrosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Forearm ; Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Myxosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Vimentin ; metabolism ; alpha 1-Antichymotrypsin ; metabolism

Diagnosis, Differential ; Hemangiopericytoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Hemangiosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Leiomyosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Nerve Sheath Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rhabdoid Tumor ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rhabdomyosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Urinary Bladder ; metabolism ; pathology