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Published on: April 3, 2026
A case of c-kit positive high-grade stromal endometrial sarcoma responding to Imatinib Mesylate
Alejandro Salvatierra1, Antonio Tarrats, Carmen Gomez
1Medical Oncology Service, Institut Català d'Oncologia, Germans Trias i Pujol, Carretera Canyet s/n, 08916 Badalona, Barcelona, Spain.
Background:
High-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (HGES) is an aggressive disease with dismal prognosis. Surgery is the standard treatment, and radiotherapy seems to reduce local relapse. No other treatment has proved to be useful in the case of non-resectable diseases.
Case:
A 41-year-old woman suffering HGES, with positive staining for CD117 (c-kit) and large abdominal and retroperitoneal mass progressing after chemotherapy, was treated with Imatinib Mesylate. After 3 months, objective response was documented and radical surgery performed. Two years after surgical intervention, she is currently free of the disease.
Conclusion:
The response seen with Imatinib should be further investigated in a larger number of cases.
Insights
High-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (HGES) is aggressive. Imatinib Mesylate showed promise in treating a patient with advanced HGES, leading to disease-free survival post-surgery.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Medical Science
Background:
- High-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (HGES) is an aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis.
- Current treatments, including surgery and radiotherapy, have limitations for unresectable disease.
Observation:
- A patient with advanced HGES and a large abdominal/retroperitoneal mass, progressing despite chemotherapy, was treated with Imatinib Mesylate.
- Tumor cells exhibited positive staining for CD117 (c-kit).
Findings:
- Treatment with Imatinib Mesylate resulted in an objective response within 3 months.
- The patient subsequently underwent successful radical surgery and remained disease-free for two years post-intervention.
Implications:
- Imatinib Mesylate demonstrates potential as a therapeutic option for advanced HGES, particularly in CD117-positive cases.
- Further investigation in larger cohorts is warranted to confirm these findings and establish Imatinib's role in HGES management.
