Cytomorphology of NUTM1-rearranged sarcoma involving pleural fluid

Diagn Cytopathol. 2022 Sep;50(9):E244-E247. doi: 10.1002/dc.24968. Epub 2022 Apr 20.

Abstract

We describe an exceedingly rare cytology case of a NUTM1-rearranged sarcoma involving pleural fluid. A 48-year-old female presented with progressive abdominal pain. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen revealed a 5.6 cm soft tissue mass in the right hemi-abdomen. Needle core biopsy of the mass showed a small round cell tumor. Extensive work-up including next generation sequencing (NGS) demonstrated a NUTM1:MXI1 rearranged sarcoma. The patient was first treated with ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide (ICE) chemotherapy. She responded initially and then progressed with multiple masses in the abdomen and pleural effusion. The cytology of the pleural effusion showed clusters and single small round blue cells. Some of them displayed rhabdoid morphology. Immunostains of NUT antibody on cell block demonstrated strong positivity of NUT. NUTM1-rearranged sarcoma is an emerging class of mesenchymal neoplasm and the cytomorphology of this neoplasm in liquid-based cytology (LBC) is yet to be described. We herein reported the first cytology case of NUTM1-rearranged sarcoma in pleural fluid.

Keywords: NUTM1-rearranged sarcoma; liquid-based cytology; pleural fluid cytology.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion
  • Pleural Effusion*
  • Sarcoma* / genetics
  • Sarcoma* / pathology
  • Soft Tissue Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Transcription Factors

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion
  • Transcription Factors