Epithelioid sarcoma of the vulva in a 17-year-old pregnant woman

Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol. 2009 May;17(3):270-3. doi: 10.1097/PAI.0b013e31818eca8b.

Abstract

Epithelioid sarcoma of the vulva is an extremely rare neoplasm with aggressive behavior and poor outcome. Herein, we report a case of vulvar epithelioid sarcoma presenting in a 17-year-old very early in her pregnancy. The patient presented with an asymptomatic nodule of the right labia majora of 1-year duration. Computerized tomographic scans showed enlarged inguinal lymph nodes and numerous lung nodules. Positron emission tomography was performed and revealed no suspicious lesions for metastatic disease. The patient underwent local excision of her vulvar lesion. On the basis of morphology and extensive immunohistochemistry, the lesion was classified as epithelioid sarcoma. The patient was referred to radiation therapy and upon evaluation, she was found to be in her sixth week of gestation. The patient continued with her pregnancy and underwent a lymph node dissection, which was positive. We review the literature of only the well-documented cases extensively studied by immunohistochemical analysis. We summarize the clinical presentation, clinical impression, treatment modalities, and outcomes of these cases. On account of the rarity of this disease in the vulva, there is no clear consensus on treatment modalities, but it seems that early aggressive surgical resection is the treatment of choice, with the role of adjuvant therapy to be determined.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antigens, CD34 / analysis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Keratins / analysis
  • Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / analysis
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / diagnosis
  • Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / pathology
  • Sarcoma / diagnosis*
  • Sarcoma / pathology
  • Sarcoma / radiotherapy
  • Vulvar Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Vulvar Neoplasms / pathology
  • Vulvar Neoplasms / radiotherapy

Substances

  • Antigens, CD34
  • Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1
  • Keratins