A Clinicopathologic and Molecular Characterization of Uterine Sarcomas Classified as Malignant PEComa

Perivascular epithelioid cell tumors (PEComas) are a distinctive group of mesenchymal neoplasms that demonstrate features of smooth muscle and melanocytic differentiation. Here, we present the clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular features of 15 uterine sarcomas diagnosed as malignant PEComa. The median patient age was 56 years (range: 27 to 86 y). The median tumor size was 8.0 cm (range: 5.0 to 14.0 cm). All tumors were classified as malignant based on the presence of mitoses (15/15; 100%), necrosis (15/15; 100%), lymphovascular invasion (8/15; 53%), and high nuclear grade (13/15; 87%). Molecular analysis revealed the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway gene mutations in 7 cases (47%), including mutually exclusive variants in TSC1 (27%) and TSC2 (20%). Recurrent alterations were also identified in TP53 (53%), RB1 (30%), ATRX (33%), and BRCA2 (13%). Tumors with inactivating ATRX mutations all demonstrated loss of ATRX expression by immunohistochemistry. Loss of expression was also observed in 2 tumors without demonstrable ATRX alterations. Clinical follow-up was available for 14 patients (range: 5 to 92 mo; median: 15 mo). Five patients developed local recurrence and 9 developed metastases; 2 patients died of their disease. Our series expands the spectrum of molecular events in tumors diagnosed as malignant PEComa and further highlights the important role of targeted sequencing in tumors with focal melanocytic marker expression.

Automated summary

In this article, the clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular features of 15 uterine sarcomas diagnosed as malignant PEComa were presented. The tumors exhibited features of smooth muscle and melanocytic differentiation and were classified as malignant based on specific criteria. Molecular analysis revealed mutations in genes involved in the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway, as well as recurrent alterations in other genes. Clinical follow-up showed recurrence and metastasis in some patients, highlighting the aggressive nature of these tumors.