Endometrial stromal sarcoma

Endometrial stromal sarcoma is a malignant subtype of endometrial stromal tumor arising from the stroma (connective tissue) of the endometrium rather than the glands. There are three grades for endometrial stromal tumors, as follows.[1] It was previously known as endolymphatic stromal myosis because of diffuse infiltration of myometrial tissue or the invasion of lymphatic channels.[2]

Endometrial stromal sarcoma
Micrograph of a low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma. H&E stain.
SpecialtyOncology, gynecology

Low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma

Low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma consists of cells resembling normal proliferative phase endometrium, but with infiltration or vascular invasion. These behave less[3] aggressively, sometimes metastasizing, with cancer stage the best predictor of survival. The cells express estrogen/progesterone-receptors.

Undifferentiated uterine sarcoma
Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma, High-Grade

Undifferentiated uterine sarcoma, or undifferentiated (high-grade) endometrial stromal sarcoma, does not resemble normal endometrial stroma and behaves much more aggressively, frequently metastasizing. The differential includes leukemia, lymphoma, high-grade carcinoma, carcinosarcoma, and differentiated pure sarcomas.

Pathology

Macroscopy

Microscopy
  • Monotonous ovoid cells to spindly cells with minimal cytoplasm.
  • Prominent arterioles. Angiolymphatic invasion common.
  • Up to 10-15 mitotic figures per 10 HPF in most active areas.
  • Tongue-like infiltration between muscle bundles of myometrium.
  • May exhibit myxoid, epithelioid and fibrous change.
  • May have foam cells or hyalinization in the stroma.

Immunochemistry

Genetic features

A recurrent chromosomal translocation, t(7;17)(p15;q21), occurs in endometrial stromal sarcoma. This translocation leads to the fusion of two polycomb group genes, JAZF1 and JJAZ1, with production of a fusion transcript with anti-apoptotic properties. Even normal endometrial stroma cells express the fusion gene, derived not by translocation, but by the "stitching" together of m-RNAs. Thus, it appears that a pro-survival gene in the normal endometrium is somehow subverted to become pro-neoplastic.[4]

References
  1. Sternberg's Diagnostic Surgical Pathology, 5th edition, p. 2242-2245.
  2. Kumar V, Abbas A, Fausto N, Aster J (2010). Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 8th edition. Philadelphia: Elsevier Saunders
  3. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/uterine-sarcoma/about/what-is-uterine-sarcoma.html
  4. Li H, et al. (2009). "Gene fusion and RNA trans-splicing in normal and neoplastic cells". Cell Cycle. 8 (2): 218–222. doi:10.4161/cc.8.2.7358.
Classification
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