Clinicopathologic and Molecular Cytogenetic Analysis of 8 Cases With Uterine Cervical Ewing Sarcoma Case Series With Literature Review

Ewing sarcoma (ES) is a highly malignant tumor that rarely occurs in the uterine cervix. Herein, we report 8 cases with ES arising primarily in the uterine cervix by focusing on clinicopathologic and molecular cytogenetic features and differential diagnoses. Eight cases of cervical ES were diagnosed between February, 2012, and September, 2018. The age of patients ranged from 13 to 47 years. Abnormal vaginal bleeding and lower abdominal pain were the most common symptoms. Histologically, the tumor was composed of uniform, round, and oval cells with a narrow rim of eosinophilic cytoplasm. Fibrous septa were observed between tumor cell nests. The tumors showed brisk mitotic activity and areas of coagulative necrosis. According to immunohistochemical studies, 50% (4/8) of the cases were positive for cytokeratin (AE1/AE3), and 87.5% (7/8) were positive for synaptophysin, which resulted in a diagnostic confusion with small cell carcinoma, primarily when dealing with small cervical biopsies. Molecular testing demonstrated the rearrangement of the EWSR1 gene in all of the 8 cases, which confirmed the diagnosis of ES. Although rare, ES should be considered as indicators of cervical small round cell neoplasms. Molecular analysis may greatly contribute to the final diagnosis of ES occurring in this unusual location.

Automated summary

Ewing sarcoma (ES) is a rare and highly malignant tumor that rarely occurs in the uterine cervix. Patients with ES in the cervix typically present with abnormal vaginal bleeding and lower abdominal pain. Histologically, the tumor is characterized by uniform round and oval cells with fibrous septa. Immunohistochemical studies and molecular testing play crucial roles in the diagnosis of ES.