Primary Cutaneous Epithelioid Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Sarcoma Harboring RANBP2-ALK Fusion: Report of an Exceptional Case

Am J Dermatopathol. 2022 Apr 1;44(4):302-305. doi: 10.1097/DAD.0000000000002096.

Abstract

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors are rare soft tissue neoplasms with an uncertain biological behavior, derived from fibroblastic and myofibroblastic cells. In rare cases, a peculiar epithelioid phenotypic variant of this tumor is encountered, named epithelioid inflammatory myofibroblastic sarcoma (EIMS). EIMS has overlapping features with inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor but has been correlated with a more aggressive clinical course, a characteristic nuclear membrane or perinuclear anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) immunostaining pattern and a very specific RANBP2-ALK fusion. To date, EIMS has been reported almost exclusively in the abdominal and pelvic cavity, with the exception of some intrathoracic cases. Herein, we present the first case of primary cutaneous EIMS, confirmed by molecular analysis showing the diagnostic RANBP2-ALK fusion.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase / genetics
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Molecular Chaperones / genetics
  • Nuclear Pore Complex Proteins / genetics
  • Sarcoma / diagnosis*
  • Sarcoma / pathology
  • Sarcoma / surgery
  • Skin Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms / surgery
  • Thigh

Substances

  • Molecular Chaperones
  • Nuclear Pore Complex Proteins
  • ran-binding protein 2
  • ALK protein, human
  • Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase