Cytogenetic evidence of metastatic myxoid liposarcoma and therapy-related myelodysplastic syndrome in a bone marrow biopsy

Hum Pathol. 2009 Jul;40(7):1040-4. doi: 10.1016/j.humpath.2008.12.020. Epub 2009 May 12.

Abstract

Myxoid liposarcoma exhibits a peculiar clinical behavior, with a tendency to spread to serosal membranes, distant soft tissues, and bones, even in the absence of lung metastases. Therapy-related hematological neoplasms are well-known side effects of cytotoxic chemotherapy. We describe an exceptional case of metastatic myxoid liposarcoma of the spine associated with therapy-related refractory anemia with excess of blasts in a 37-year-old woman who underwent multi-agent chemotherapy for a myxoid liposarcoma of the left thigh. Microscopic examination of the bone marrow biopsy revealed dysplastic features, with abnormal localization of immature precursors and micromegakaryocytes, and islands of undifferentiated oval small/medium-size cells, suggestive of acute myeloid leukemia arising in the setting of a myelodysplastic syndrome. Immunohistochemistry was not discriminant. Cytogenetic analyses of bone marrow aspirate disclosed the presence of 2 different rearrangements, subsequently confirmed by fluorescent in situ hybridization and was crucial in making the correct diagnosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anemia, Refractory / pathology
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
  • Bone Marrow Cells / pathology
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 11
  • Combined Modality Therapy / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / pathology
  • Liposarcoma, Myxoid / pathology*
  • Liposarcoma, Myxoid / secondary
  • Myelodysplastic Syndromes / pathology*
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / pathology*
  • Soft Tissue Neoplasms / pathology
  • Thigh / pathology