Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 2, 2026
11:42
Induction of Mesenchymal-Epithelial Transitions in Sarcoma Cells
Published on: April 7, 2017
8.4K
Epidermotropic metastatic epithelioid sarcoma: a potential diagnostic pitfall
Sarah J Coates1, Olakunle Ogunrinade, Henry J Lee
1Department of Dermatology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.
Journal of Cutaneous Pathology
|March 14, 2014
Summary
Epithelioid sarcoma (ES), an aggressive soft tissue tumor, can present unusually, mimicking other conditions. This case highlights diagnostic challenges in advanced-stage proximal-type ES.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pathology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Epithelioid sarcoma (ES) is an aggressive soft tissue neoplasm with diverse presentations.
- Accurate diagnosis of ES is crucial due to its aggressive nature and broad differential diagnosis.
- Microscopic features include eosinophilic polygonal cells, necrosis, and peripheral spindle cells with infiltration.
Observation:
- This report details a stage IV proximal-type ES case.
- Clinically, the tumor mimicked molluscum contagiosum.
- Pathologically, it resembled invasive squamous cell carcinoma due to epidermal attachment and colonization.
Findings:
- Immunohistochemistry showed epithelial (cytokeratin) and mesenchymal (vimentin) markers.
- Epidermal involvement is atypical for primary cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.
- The unusual presentation complicated the diagnostic process.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering ES in the differential diagnosis of challenging soft tissue tumors.
- Awareness of atypical presentations can prevent misdiagnosis and guide appropriate treatment.
- Highlights potential diagnostic pitfalls in histopathology and clinical presentation of epithelioid sarcoma.
