top of page
CCS of the GI Tract
Clear cell sarcoma-like tumor of the gastrointestinal tract: an evolving entity
Publication Date:
March 1, 2025
Abstract
Clear cell sarcoma-like tumor of the gastrointestinal tract (CCSLGT) is a rare malignant neoplasm that occurs in the wall of the small bowel, stomach, or large bowel, predominantly in young adults. It is an aggressive neoplasm that frequently presents with metastatic disease and has a high mortality rate. Histologically, it is usually composed of medium-sized primitive ovoid or epithelioid cells with pale or clear cytoplasm that are arranged in sheets or in papillary or alveolar architectures. Clear cell sarcoma-like tumor of the gastrointestinal tract is positive for S100 protein, invariably negative for melanocyte-specific markers and is often also positive for neuroendocrine markers. The etiology of CCSLGT is unknown, but many studies have shown associations with EWSR1-CREB1 gene fusions and, less frequently, with EWSR1-ATF1 fusions. Here, we discuss the current status of CCSLGT, including histologic, immunophenotypic, and molecular findings.
Author(s)
Jayson Wang 1, Khin Thway
Clear Cell Sarcoma-like Tumor of the Gastrointestinal Tract: Clinical Outcome and Pathologic Features of a Molecularly Characterized Tertiary Center Case Series
Publication Date:
January 17, 2018
Abstract
Background/aim:
Clear cell sarcoma-like tumor of the gastrointestinal tract (CCSLTGT) is a very rare and relatively recently characterized mesenchymal neoplasm arising within the wall of the small bowel, stomach, or large bowel, predominantly in adolescents and young adults. Only few anecdotal reports or small series have been published and a consensus on treatment has not been formulated. Complete resection remains the only curative option for localized disease, but despite optimal surgery, CCSLTGT typically shows highly aggressive behavior with a high rate of local recurrence, metastases, and death from disease. The hallmark of CCSLTGT is the presence of EWSR1-CREB1 or EWSR1-ATF1 gene fusions, detectable with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The aim of this study was to assess all referred cases of CCSLTGT, and document the pathological features, treatment and outcome of these patients.
Patients and methods:
We retrospectively reviewed all cases of histologically- and molecularly-confirmed CCSLTGT with EWSR1-CREB1 or EWSR1-ATF1 fusions at our tertiary sarcoma center, between 2009 and 2016.
Results:
We assessed six patients diagnosed with CCSLTGT. In a median follow-up of 8 months, all patients received surgery, and additionally one patient was treated with chemotherapy and had progressive disease. Five of six patients experienced recurrence or progression of disease and 4 of 6 patients died of disease.
Conclusion:
Our study confirms that CCSLTGT is a very rare aggressive sarcoma subtype with a very poor outcome. Greater international collaboration is required to obtain a better understanding of this disease.
Author(s)
Michela Libertini 1, Khin Thway 1, Jonathan Noujaim 2, Florian Puls 3, Christina Messiou 1, Cyril Fisher 1, Robin L Jones 4
Unusual Clinical Presentation of Gastrointestinal Clear Cell Sarcoma
Publication Date:
May 29, 2015
Abstract
Background
Use of molecular assays is gradually becoming a mandatory part of the clinical management of soft tissue tumors, however the choice and the interpretation of these tests may present a challenge.
Summary
This report demonstrates an unusual presentation of sarcoma, which was initially diagnosed as a tumor of unknown primary site. Given the presence of vimentin, Fli-1, CD99 and S100 markers, lack of immunostaining for melan A, HMB45, MITF, synaptophysin, CD56, myf4, CKAE1/3 and WT-1, as well as the presence of EWSR1 translocation determined by a break-apart FISH assay, Ewing's sarcoma (ES) diagnosis seemed to be well justified. However, polymerase chain reaction testing for ES-specific rearrangements (EWSR1/FLI1, EWSR1/ERG, EWSR1/ETV1, EWSR1/ETV4, EWS/FEV) failed to confirm the ES origin of the neoplastic tissue. We further considered clinical, morphological, immunohistochemical and molecular diagnostic features of other types of EWSR1-rearranged sarcomas and performed molecular testing for gastrointestinal clear cell sarcoma. The polymerase chain reaction assay revealed EWSR1ex7/ATF1ex5 fusion, thus confirming the latter diagnosis. Subsequent high-precision computed tomography of the abdominal cavity revealed a 5-cm tumor of the small bowel, which was subjected to surgical resection.
Key Message
This report exemplifies that the use of anonymous cytogenetic assays, such as break-apart FISH EWSR1 testing, may not be sufficient even in case of a perfect match with relevant morphological and immunohistochemical tumor features.
Practical Implications
Explicit identification of the translocation gene partners is indeed important for proper sarcoma diagnosis management.
Author(s)
Grigory A Raskin a, Kazimir M Pozharisski a, Aglaya G Iyevleva b,c, Ivan V Rikov d, Rashida V Orlova d, Evgeny N Imyanitov b,c,d,e,*
Clear cell sarcoma-like tumor of the gastrointestinal tract, presenting as a second malignancy after childhood hepatoblastoma
Publication Date:
February 17, 2014
Abstract
Clear cell sarcoma-like tumor of the gastrointestinal tract (CCSLGT) is a rare malignant neoplasm arising within the wall of the small bowel, stomach, or large bowel, predominantly in children and young adults. It is an aggressive tumor with a high rate of local recurrence, metastases, and early death from disease. Histologically, it is composed of relatively monomorphic ovoid or round cells with clear to eosinophilic cytoplasm, arranged in sheets and sometimes papillary or alveolar architectures, often with CD68-positive osteoclast-like giant cells in variable numbers, and is associated with EWSR1-CREB1 gene fusions. Its pathogenesis is unknown, and histologically it can be easily confused with a variety of intra-abdominal neoplasms. We describe a case of CCSLGT with molecular characterization, presenting as an acutely obstructing small bowel mass in a 33-year-old male, which occurred as a second malignant neoplasm 20 years after treatment with surgery, radiotherapy, and cisplatin and doxorubicin chemotherapy for childhood hepatoblastoma. This gives further insight into the clinical setting of this highly aggressive neoplasm and highlights the use of radiation therapy as a possible etiologic factor.
Author(s)
Khin Thway 1, Ian Judson 2, Cyril Fisher 1
Malignant gastrointestinal neuroectodermal tumor: clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural, and molecular analysis of 16 cases with a reappraisal of clear cell sarcoma-like tumors of the gastrointestinal tract
Publication Date:
June 1, 2012
Abstract
The clinical, histologic, immunophenotypic, ultrastructural, and molecular features of a distinctive gastrointestinal tumor are described. Sixteen patients, 8 women and 8 men aged 17 to 77 years (mean age, 42 y; 63% less than 40 y) presented with abdominal pain, intestinal obstruction, and an abdominal mass. Mean tumor size was 5.2 cm (range, 2.4 to 15.0 cm). The tumors arose in the small bowel (10), stomach (4), and colon (2) and were histologically characterized by a sheet-like or nested population of epithelioid or oval-to-spindle cells with small nucleoli and scattered mitoses. Five cases showed focal clearing of the cytoplasm. Scattered osteoclast-type multinucleated giant cells were present in 8 cases. The tumor cells were positive for S-100 protein, SOX10, and vimentin in 100% of cases, for CD56 in 70%, for synaptophysin in 56%, for NB84 in 50%, for NSE in 45%, and for neurofilament protein in 14% of cases. All cases tested were negative for specific melanocytic, gastrointestinal stromal tumors, epithelial, and myoid markers. Ultrastructural examination of 5 cases showed features of primitive neuroectodermal cells with clear secretory vesicles, dense-core granules, occasional gap junctions, and no evidence of melanogenesis. EWSR1 gene rearrangement was assessed by fluorescence in situ hybridization in 14 cases. Twelve cases (86%) showed split EWSR1 signal consistent with a chromosomal translocation involving EWSR1. One case showed extra intact signals, indicating that the nuclei possessed either extra copies of the EWSR1 gene or chromosome 22 polysomy. Only 1 case showed no involvement of the EWSR1 gene. Six cases demonstrated rearrangement of the partner fusion gene ATF1 (46%), and 3 showed rearrangement of CREB1 (23%); 2 cases lacked rearrangement of either partner gene. Clinical follow-up was available in 12 patients and ranged from 1.5 to 106 months. Six patients died of their tumors (mean survival, 32 mo; 83% less than 24 mo). At last follow-up, 4 patients were alive with regional, lymph node, and liver metastases, and 2 patients were alive with no evidence of disease. The tumor described here is an aggressive form of neuroectodermal tumor that should be separated from other primitive epithelioid and spindle cell tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive ultrastructural features and absence of melanocytic differentiation serve to separate them from soft tissue clear cell sarcomas involving the gastrointestinal tract. The designation "malignant gastrointestinal neuroectodermal tumor" is proposed for this tumor type.
Author(s)
David L Stockman 1, Markku Miettinen, Saul Suster, Dominic Spagnolo, Hugo Dominguez-Malagon, Jason L Hornick, Volkan Adsay, Pauline M Chou, Benhur Amanuel, Peter Vantuinen, Eduardo V Zambrano
Clear Cell Sarcoma of the Stomach
Publication Date:
April 6, 2009
Abstract
Clear cell sarcoma (CCS) is a high grade soft tissue sarcoma with a distinct molecular profile. Gastrointestinal CCS is very rare and most reported cases are in adults. We describe a 10-year-old female with a 4-month history of anemia who later developed fever, weight loss and abdominal pain. She was subsequently found to have a large infiltrative gastric mass. A diagnosis of CCS was confirmed by molecular and cytogenetic studies. This case illustrates the necessity of a multimodal approach, particularly the use of molecular studies, in the diagnostic evaluation of rare tumors presenting in unusual sites.
Author(s)
Joanne P. Lagmay, MD, 1,2* Mark Ranalli, MD, 1,2 Maria Arcila, MD, 3 and Peter Baker, MD 4
Get updates on CCSF happenings
bottom of page