Uterine mesenchymal tumours: recent advances

Histopathology. 2020 Jan;76(1):64-75. doi: 10.1111/his.14008.

Abstract

Almost all uterine mesenchymal tumours have been historically classified as either smooth muscle or endometrial stromal neoplasms. Recent application of molecular techniques has identified numerous lesions with distinctive genetic abnormalities and clinicopathological characteristics. Newly discovered uterine sarcoma subtypes include high-grade endometrial stromal sarcomas with BCOR genetic abnormalities, fibrosarcoma-like uterine sarcomas with NTRK rearrangements and COL1A-PDGFRB fusions, as well as undifferentiated uterine sarcomas with SMARCA4 mutations. Novel PLAG1 and PGR fusions have been identified in subsets of myxoid and epithelioid leiomyosarcomas. Some uterine tumours resembling ovarian sex-cord tumour harbour GREB1 and ESR1 rearrangements. Histological and immunophenotypical features as well as underlying genetic abnormalities defining these lesions are discussed.

Keywords: endometrial stromal sarcoma; epithelioid leiomyosarcoma; fibrosarcoma; myxoid leiomyosarcoma; undifferentiated uterine sarcoma; uterine tumour resembling ovarian sex cord tumour.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Gene Rearrangement
  • Humans
  • Leiomyosarcoma / genetics
  • Leiomyosarcoma / pathology*
  • Oncogene Fusion
  • Sarcoma, Endometrial Stromal / genetics
  • Sarcoma, Endometrial Stromal / pathology*
  • Uterine Neoplasms / genetics
  • Uterine Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Uterus / pathology*