Clear-cell sarcoma is a rare, malignant soft tissue tumor that displays melanocytic differentiation with a distinct molecular profile. It is rarely localized in the gastrointestinal tract. Herein we reported a case of...Clear-cell sarcoma is a rare, malignant soft tissue tumor that displays melanocytic differentiation with a distinct molecular profile. It is rarely localized in the gastrointestinal tract. Herein we reported a case of multiple synchronous clear-cell sarcomas of the gastrointestinal tract with parotid gland metastasis. A 51-year-old male patient presented with a growing painless mass under the right ear. A preoperative positron emission tomography/computed tomography showed multiple intestinal masses and a mass in the right parotid with increased glucose uptake, and he underwent operative treatment with resection of three tumors in the jejunum and ileum and then received a right parotidectomy. Postoperative pathological examination showed that cells in the intestinal tumor were consistent with clear-cell sarcoma of the gastrointestinal tract, and the malignant cells in the parotid gland were similar to the intestinal tumor. Immunohistochemical studies revealed positive expression of HMB-45, Melan-A, and S-100. EWSR1 gene fusion transcripts were undetectable by fluorescence in situ hybridization.展开更多
It is important for surgeons performing sarcoma surgery to know that bone resection and tumor prosthesis applications in soft tissue sarcomas(STS)have unique features in terms of indication,surgical approach and follo...It is important for surgeons performing sarcoma surgery to know that bone resection and tumor prosthesis applications in soft tissue sarcomas(STS)have unique features in terms of indication,surgical approach and follow-up,in terms of the management of these cases.Some STS are associated with bone and major neurovascular structures.Bone-associated STS are generally relatively large and relatively deep-seated.Additionally,the tendency for metastasis is high.In some cases,the decision about which structures to resect is difficult.These cases are often accompanied by poor oncological and surgical outcomes.Management of cases should be done by a multidisciplinary team in advanced centers specialized in this field.The surgical team must have sufficient knowledge and experience in the field of limb-sparing surgery.Preoperative evaluation and especially good planning of bone and soft tissue reconstruction are vital.展开更多
Soft-tissue sarcomas are uncommon tumors that have traditionally been managed by wide excisional surgery and radiotherapy;the use of chemotherapy has been reserved for advanced disease. Advances in multidisciplinary c...Soft-tissue sarcomas are uncommon tumors that have traditionally been managed by wide excisional surgery and radiotherapy;the use of chemotherapy has been reserved for advanced disease. Advances in multidisciplinary care have improved the evaluation and care of patients with this disease. Limb-conserving surgical paradigms, superior radiotherapy delivery, and novel adjuvant agents for specific tumors are now available. The objective of this study is to report the epidemiological, clinical, histological, therapeutic and evolutionary characteristics of soft tissue sarcomas at the oncology hospital: Chu Hassan II in FEZ, and to define the factors influencing patient survival. This is a retrospective study of 232 cases of soft tissue sarcoma, collected between January 2010 and June 2020. The eligibility criteria were an age greater than 16 years, and histological evidence of a soft tissue sarcoma excluding gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). Items collected were: epidemiological, clinical, histological, radiological, and therapeutic. These are 232 cases, 120 Men and 112 Women, the mean age was 48.89 years (Extreme = 18 - 76 years). The tumor was localized to the extremities at (58.72%). The predominant histological type was Leiomyosarcoma in 61 cases (26.29%). The tumor stage was localized in (17.67%) of cases, locally advanced in 34.05% and metastatic in 44.08% of patients, all localized cases were treated surgically including (84%) conservative surgery and (16%) radical surgery. Radiation therapy was performed in 32.75% of patients. Chemotherapy was performed in 74.14% of patients. Age and tumor stage are prognostic factors influencing the survival of soft tissue sarcomas.展开更多
We report here the case of a young patient with metastatic clear-cell sarcoma of the kidney resistant to standard chemotherapy, and with complete response under sorafenib treatment. The remarkable response of her tumo...We report here the case of a young patient with metastatic clear-cell sarcoma of the kidney resistant to standard chemotherapy, and with complete response under sorafenib treatment. The remarkable response of her tumor to sorafenib led us to study sorafenib molecular targets in the metastatic tissue. Background: Biomarkers predicting response to anti-angiogenic tyrosine kinase inhibitors remain to be identified. Methods and Findings: In this paper, we studied the molecular targets of sorafenib in the lung metastasis of a kidney clear-cell sarcoma. In a patient with complete response under sorafenib treatment, we showed high VEGFR2 expression by tumor endothelial cells from the lung metastasis. Conclusion: The original mechanistic results that we obtained using immunostainings and quantitative RT-PCR on laser-microdissected tumor endothelial cells have a direct application in daily clinical practice: metastatic tumors with a large angiogenic component should be tested for VEGFRs expression to consider anti-angiogenic tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatments.展开更多
BACKGROUND In patients with metastatic colorectal cancer(mCRC),the treatment options are limited and have been proved to be affected by rat sarcoma virus(RAS)mutational status.In RAS wild-type(wt)patients,the combinat...BACKGROUND In patients with metastatic colorectal cancer(mCRC),the treatment options are limited and have been proved to be affected by rat sarcoma virus(RAS)mutational status.In RAS wild-type(wt)patients,the combination of antiepidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)monoclonal antibodies with chemotherapy(CT)is more effective than CT alone.On the other hand,RAS-mutated patients are not eligible for treatment with anti-EGFR antibodies.CASE SUMMARY Eleven patients with initially RAS-mutated mCRC were followed from diagnosis to May 2022.At the time of cell-free DNA determination,five patients had undergone one CT line,five patients had undergone two CT lines,and one patient had undergone three CT lines(all in combination with bevacizumab).At the second and third treatment lines[second line(2L),third line(3L)],patients with neo-RAS wt received a combination of CT and cetuximab.In neo-RAS wt patients treated with anti-EGFR,our findings indicated an increase in progression-free survival for both 2L and 3L(14.5 mo,P=0.119 and 3.9 mo,P=0.882,respectively).Regarding 2L overall survival,we registered a slight increase in neo-RAS wt patients treated with anti-EGFR(33.6 mo vs 32.4 mo,P=0.385).At data cut-off,two patients were still alive:A RAS-mutated patient undergoing 3L treatment and a neo-RAS wt patient who received 2L treatment with anti-EGFR(ongoing).CONCLUSION Our case series demonstrated that monitoring RAS mutations in mCRC by liquid biopsy may provide an additional treatment line for neo-RAS wt patients.展开更多
In this editorial based on a case report,we delve into a seldom-seen occurrence of clear cell sarcoma featuring pancreatic metastasis in a 47-year-old male patient.Recognized for its typical tendency to metastasize to...In this editorial based on a case report,we delve into a seldom-seen occurrence of clear cell sarcoma featuring pancreatic metastasis in a 47-year-old male patient.Recognized for its typical tendency to metastasize to the lungs,bones,and brain,clear cell sarcoma rarely extends its reach to the pancreas.Despite the initial absence of discernible abnormalities during the patient's physical examination,the manifestation of abdominal pain prompted further investigation.Subsequent abdominal computed tomography brought to light the presence of a pancreatic tumor,culminating in the definitive diagnosis of clear cell sarcoma with pancreatic metastasis.The successful management of this atypical presentation involved a series of surgical interventions,including distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy.This report not only sheds light on the infrequent manifestation of clear cell sarcoma within the pancreas but also underscores the pivotal role of vigilant postoperative follow-up in addressing this rare sarcoma.The emphasis on postoperative care serves as a crucial aspect of the broader narrative,acknowledging the need for ongoing monitoring and management to ensure a comprehensive and successful treatment trajectory for patients with this unique presentation of clear cell sarcoma.展开更多
BACKGROUND Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma(UPS)is a rare malignant mesenchymal tumor with a poor prognosis.It mainly occurs in the extremities,trunk,head and neck,and retroperitoneum regions.Owing to the lack of ...BACKGROUND Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma(UPS)is a rare malignant mesenchymal tumor with a poor prognosis.It mainly occurs in the extremities,trunk,head and neck,and retroperitoneum regions.Owing to the lack of specific clinical manifestations and imaging features,UPS diagnosis mainly depends on pathological and immunohistochemical examinations for exclusive diagnosis.Here we report an extremely rare case of high-grade UPS in the common bile duct(CBD).There are limited available data on such cases.CASE SUMMARY A 70-year-old woman was admitted to our department with yellow eyes and urine accompanied by upper abdominal distending pain for 2 wk.Her laboratory data suggested significantly elevated hepatorenal function levels.The imaging data revealed calculous cholecystitis,intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile duct dilation with extrahepatic bile duct calculi,and a space-occupying lesion at the distal CBD.After endoscopic biliary stenting and symptomatic support therapy,CBD exploration and biopsy were performed.The frozen section indicated malignant spindle cell tumor of the CBD mass,and further radical pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed.Finally,the neoplasm was diagnosed as a high-grade UPS combined with the light-microscopic morphology and immunohistochemical results.CONCLUSION This extremely rare case highlighted the need for increasing physicians'vigilance,reducing the odds of misdiagnosis,and providing appropriate treatment strategies.展开更多
Introduction: Kaposi sarcoma disease is a proliferative and multifocal disorder with dual components, vascular and fibroblastic cellular, cutaneous and visceral expression. Kaposi Sarcoma can affect the ocular surface...Introduction: Kaposi sarcoma disease is a proliferative and multifocal disorder with dual components, vascular and fibroblastic cellular, cutaneous and visceral expression. Kaposi Sarcoma can affect the ocular surface and adnexa and can masquerade as other entities, delaying prompt diagnosis can lead to diagnostic wandering delaying treatment. Our aim is to describe a case of KS of the eyelid in an HIV seronegative patient. Case Presentation: A seventy-year-old man developed a bilateral growing tumoral reddish purple vascular mass on both the lower and upper eyelid involving rapidly for 6 months. Both feet and the two shanks show the presence of a brown-violet tumor-shaped formation. The patient was negative for HIV. Histology examination showed a nodular tumor-like mass with a fibro hemangioma-epitheliomatous. Polymerase chain reaction was positive for human herpes virus 8. Initial chemotherapy followed by surgery was proposed to the patient. Unfortunately, the patient rejected treatment and was lost to follow-up. Conclusion: This case reports the difficulty of managing KS in developing countries.展开更多
BACKGROUND Ewing’s sarcoma(ES)is a neuroectodermal tumor that typically occurs in the bones and soft tissues of children and young adults.Primary renal ES is rare;only a few cases and a small case series have been do...BACKGROUND Ewing’s sarcoma(ES)is a neuroectodermal tumor that typically occurs in the bones and soft tissues of children and young adults.Primary renal ES is rare;only a few cases and a small case series have been documented,and only four cases involved primary renal ES in older people(>65 years old).CASE SUMMARY Herein,we describe the radiological and pathological features of primary renal ES in an older person.A 76-year-old man complained of poor oral intake and was found to have a large cystic renal mass with indistinct margins on computed tomography.Ultrasound-guided biopsy revealed that the tumor contained small round blue cells.The patient underwent a right radical nephrectomy.The tumor cells showed diffuse membranous CD99,and nuclear friend leukemia integration 1 transcription factor and NK2 Homeobox 2.Fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed EWSR1 translocation.Postoperatively,18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography revealed no evidence of metastasis.The patient was diagnosed with primary renal ES.Six months following the surgery,local recurrence and distant metastasis were observed.Primary renal ES is rare and often lethal in older individuals.The specific imaging findings are unknown,and treatment protocols have not been standardized.CONCLUSION This case report describes the radiological and pathological features of primary renal ES in an older person.展开更多
Primary or secondary clear cell sarcoma of the pancreas is an exceedingly rare and aggressive disease.In addition to pathology,molecular analysis is pivotal in differential diagnosis,especially with malignant melanoma...Primary or secondary clear cell sarcoma of the pancreas is an exceedingly rare and aggressive disease.In addition to pathology,molecular analysis is pivotal in differential diagnosis,especially with malignant melanoma.A key aspect in identifying clear cell sarcoma is specific genetic alterations,notably the translocation of t(12;22)(q13;q13),a diagnostic hallmark of this sarcoma subtype,which is absent in malignant melanoma.Treatment of primary clear cell sarcoma of the pancreas is the same as that for adenocarcinoma.展开更多
BACKGROUND We present a case of an EWSR1/FUS::NFATC2 rearranged sarcoma in the left forearm and analyze its clinicopathological and molecular features.CASE SUMMARY The patient is a 23-year-old woman.Microscopically,th...BACKGROUND We present a case of an EWSR1/FUS::NFATC2 rearranged sarcoma in the left forearm and analyze its clinicopathological and molecular features.CASE SUMMARY The patient is a 23-year-old woman.Microscopically,the tumor cells were medium-sized round cells arranged in small nests.The cytoplasm was clear,nuclei were relatively uniform,chromatin was dense,nucleoli were visible,and mitotic figures were rare.Immunohistochemically,the tumor cells were positive for Vimentin,INI-1,CD99,NKX2.2,CyclinD1,friend leukaemia virus integration 1,and NKX3.1.Next-generation sequencing revealed the presence of the EWSR1-NFATC2 fusion gene.EWSR1/FUS::NFATC2 rearranged sarcomas are rare and can easily be misdiagnosed.CONCLUSION Clinical imaging,immunohistochemistry,and molecular pathology should be considered to confirm the diagnosis.展开更多
This article presents a comprehensive case report on an uncommon instance of metastatic clear cell sarcoma(CCS)originating from the pancreas.The high mortality rate of pancreatic carcinoma underscores the importance o...This article presents a comprehensive case report on an uncommon instance of metastatic clear cell sarcoma(CCS)originating from the pancreas.The high mortality rate of pancreatic carcinoma underscores the importance of precise diagnosis and early detection.The authors report a novel case of CCS with pancreatic metastasis,detailing successful surgical intervention through distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy,resulting in favourable outcomes.This study highlights the standard role of surgery in treating advanced CCS and emphasizes preoperative imaging and thorough patient history assessment.This article also underscores the necessity for long-term surveillance due to the potential for recurrence or metastasis.Despite the favourable recovery postsurgery,the absence of subsequent follow-up evaluation prompts consideration of the need for extended monitoring.This article raises questions about the nature of the pancreatic lesion and suggests the possibility of a primary lesion.Further evidence is crucial to establish the correlation between the features related to the development of the patient's primary and metastatic tumours.In conclusion,this study offers valuable insights into metastatic CCS of the pancreas,highlighting the importance of regular postoperative follow-up for improved outcomes through early detection and intervention.展开更多
BACKGROUND Clear cell sarcoma(CCS)is a rare soft-tissue sarcoma.The most common metastatic sites for CCS are the lungs,bones and brain.CCS is highly invasive and mainly metastasizes to the lung,followed by the bone an...BACKGROUND Clear cell sarcoma(CCS)is a rare soft-tissue sarcoma.The most common metastatic sites for CCS are the lungs,bones and brain.CCS is highly invasive and mainly metastasizes to the lung,followed by the bone and brain;however,pancreatic metastasis is relatively rare.CASE SUMMARY We report on a rare case of CCS with pancreatic metastasis in a 47-year-old man.The patient had a relevant medical history 3 years ago,with abdominal pain as the main clinical manifestation.No abnormalities were observed on physical examination and the tumor was found on abdominal computed tomography.Based on the medical history and postoperative pathology,the patient was diagnosed with CCS with pancreatic metastasis.The patient was successfully treated with surgical interventions,including distal pancreatectomy and sple-nectomy.CONCLUSION This report summarizes the available treatment modalities for CCS and the importance of regular postoperative follow-up for patients with CCS.展开更多
BACKGROUND Low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma(LGMS)is an extremely rare tumor characterized by the malignant proliferation of myofibroblasts.LGMS most commonly develops in adults,predominantly in males,in the head and ...BACKGROUND Low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma(LGMS)is an extremely rare tumor characterized by the malignant proliferation of myofibroblasts.LGMS most commonly develops in adults,predominantly in males,in the head and neck region,oral cavity,especially on the tongue,mandible,and larynx.This article presents 2 cases of LGMS localized to the maxillary sinus and provides an overview of the available literature.CASE SUMMARY Two patients with LGMS located in the maxillary sinus underwent surgery at the Department of Head and Neck Surgery.Case 1:A 46-year-old patient was admitted to the clinic with suspected LGMS recurrence in the right maxillary sinus(rT4aN0M0),with symptoms of pain in the suborbital area,watering of the right eye,thick discharge from the right nostril,and augmented facial asymmetry.After open biopsy-confirmed LGMS,the patient underwent expanded maxillectomy of the right side with immediate palate reconstruction using a microvascular skin flap harvested surgically from the middle arm.The patient qualified for adjuvant radiotherapy for the postoperative bed,with an additional margin.Currently,the patient is under 1.5 years of observation with no evidence of disease.Case 2:A 45-year-old man was admitted to our clinic with facial asymmetry,strabismus,exophthalmos,and visual impairment in the right eye.Six months earlier,the patient had undergone partial jaw resection at another hospital for fibromatosis.A contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan revealed a tumor mass in the postoperative log after an earlier procedure.An open biopsy confirmed lowgrade fibrosarcoma(rT4aN0M0).The patient qualified for an extended total right maxillectomy with orbital excision and right hemimandibulectomy with immediate microvascular reconstruction using an anterolateral thigh flap.The patient subsequently underwent adjuvant radiotherapy to the postoperative area.After 9 months,recurrence occurred in the right mandibular arch below the irradiated area.The lesion infiltrated the base of the skull,which warranted the withdrawal of radiotherapy and salvage surgery.The patient qualified for palliative chemotherapy with a regimen of doxorubicin+dacarbazine+cyclophosphamide and palliative radiotherapy for bone metastases.The patient died 26 months after surgical treatment.The cases have been assessed and compared with cases in the literature.CONCLUSION No specific diagnostic criteria or treatment strategies have been developed for LGMS.The treatment used for LGMS is the same as that used for sinonasal cancer radical tumor excision;adjuvant radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy should also be considered.They have low malignant potential but are highly invasive,tend to recur,and metastasize to distant sites.Patients should undergo regular follow-up examinations to detect recurrence or metastasis at an early stage.Patients should be treated and observed at the highest referral centers.展开更多
Introduction: Atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX) and pleomorphic dermal sarcoma (PDS) are one spectrum of rare cutaneous neoplasms that typically arise in sun-exposed skin of older population. AFX/PDS is essentially diagnos...Introduction: Atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX) and pleomorphic dermal sarcoma (PDS) are one spectrum of rare cutaneous neoplasms that typically arise in sun-exposed skin of older population. AFX/PDS is essentially diagnosis of exclusion requiring Immunohistochemical work-up to exclude other types of tumors. Case Report: We present a case involving an ulcerated solitary lesion on the scalp of an elderly man. Histological examination revealed that the dermal tumor was composed of large pleomorphic, epithelioid, and spindle cells with clear cytoplasm. These cells were negative for cytokeratins, melanocytes and smooth muscle markers, but positive for CD10. These findings are consistent with a diagnosis of clear cell (CC) PDS. Conclusion: PDS is a low-grade malignancy that can recur locally and metastasize, which is distinguished from AFX by its larger size and the presence of aggressive histopathologic features including deeper invasion into the subcutaneous tissue, tumor necrosis, and lymphovascular and/or perineural involvement. Among several histopathologic variants, the CC variant is extremely rare with only two cases of PDS reported in the literature to date.展开更多
Pediatric soft tissue sarcomas are a group of malignant neoplasms arising within embryonic mesenchymal tissues during the process of differentiation into muscle, fascia and fat. The tumors have a biphasic peak for age...Pediatric soft tissue sarcomas are a group of malignant neoplasms arising within embryonic mesenchymal tissues during the process of differentiation into muscle, fascia and fat. The tumors have a biphasic peak for age of incidence. Rhabdomyosarcoma(RMS) is diagnosed more frequently in younger children, whereas adult-type non-RMS soft tissue sarcoma is predominately observed in adolescents. The latter group comprises a variety of rare tumors for which diagnosis can be difficult and typically requires special studies, including immunohistochemistry and molecular genetic analysis. Current management for the majority of pediatric sarcomas is based on the data from large multi-institutional trials, which has led to great improvements in outcomes over recent decades. Although surgery remains the mainstay of treatment, the curative aim cannot be achieved without adjuvant treatment. Pre-treatment staging and risk classification are of prime importance in selecting an effective treatment protocol. Tumor resectability, the response to induction chemotherapy, and radiation generally determine the risk-group, and these factors are functions of tumor site, size and biology. Surgery provides the best choice of local control of small resectable tumors in a favorable site. Radiation therapy is added when surgery leaves residual disease or there is evidence of regional spread. Chemotherapy aims to reduce the risk of relapse and improve overall survival. In addition, upfront chemotherapy reduces the aggressiveness of the required surgery and helps preserve organ function in a number of cases. Long-term survival in low-risk sarcomas is feasible, and the intensity of treatment can be reduced. In high-risk sarcoma, current research is allowing more effective disease control.展开更多
BACKGROUND Primary hepatic sarcoma is a rare tumor originated from mesenchymal tissue.There are various pathologic types of primary hepatic sarcoma and the treatment outcome of this tumor was usually disappointing.Unl...BACKGROUND Primary hepatic sarcoma is a rare tumor originated from mesenchymal tissue.There are various pathologic types of primary hepatic sarcoma and the treatment outcome of this tumor was usually disappointing.Unlike hepatocellular carcinoma,outcome of primary hepatic sarcoma is not well-known due to it’s rarity.However,with development of medical technology,surgical treatment may lead to better survival.AIM To investigate the surgical outcomes of primary hepatic sarcoma,we gathered and analyzed the cases of a single institute.METHODS From August 2001 to September 2016,a total of nine patients were surgically treated for primary hepatic sarcoma after exclusion of cases with open and closure,early loss to follow-up and sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma and sarcomatoid cholangiocellular carcinoma.Baseline characteristics,tumor characteristics such as tumor pathology,size and number,surgical and adjuvant treatments were reviewed.Tumor recurrence,and patient survival were analyzed with retrospective approach.RESULTS The enrolled participants included five patients with angiosarcoma and four patients with undifferentiated sarcoma.All patients experienced tumor recurrence at a median of 52 post-operative days.Only two patients survived and the 5-year survival rate was 29.6%.One patient with angiosarcoma who received central hepatectomy for primary tumor and received radiofrequency ablation for recurrent tumor still lives for 11 years.One patient with undifferentiated sarcoma received Rt.lobectomy for primary tumor followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy still lives around 30 mo even though she got additional operation for recurrent tumor.Two patients who received living donor liver transplantation due to angiosarcoma died.Only adjuvant therapy was associated with survival gain(P=0.002).CONCLUSION Patients with primary hepatic sarcoma may gain survival benefit with surgical resection followed by adjuvant therapy,even though the outcome remains relatively poor.展开更多
Osteosarcoma (OS), chondrosarcoma (CSA), and Ewings sarcoma (ES) are the most common primary malignancies of bone, and are rare diseases. As with all sarcomas, the prognosis of these diseases ultimately depends on the...Osteosarcoma (OS), chondrosarcoma (CSA), and Ewings sarcoma (ES) are the most common primary malignancies of bone, and are rare diseases. As with all sarcomas, the prognosis of these diseases ultimately depends on the presence of metastatic disease. Survival is therefore closely linked with the biology and metastatic potential of a particular bone tumor’s cells. Here we describe a significant correlation of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity and the presence/absence of distant metastases in ten consecutive cases of human bone sarcomas. Additionally, cultured human CSA cells, which are historically chemo- and radio-resistant, may be sensitive to the ALDH inhibitor, disulfiram. While it is premature to draw broad conclusions from such a small series, the importance of ALDH activity and inhibition in the metastatic potential of primary bone sarcomas should be investigated further.展开更多
Standard treatment for soft tissue sarcoma,based on complete surgical resection with or without adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy,has not substantially changed during the last several decades.Nevertheless,recent ...Standard treatment for soft tissue sarcoma,based on complete surgical resection with or without adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy,has not substantially changed during the last several decades.Nevertheless,recent advances have contributed to considerable improvement in the management of these patients;for example,new magnetic resonance imaging sequences such as diffusionweighted imaging and magnetic resonance imaging radiomics can better assess tumor extension and even estimate its grade.Detection of circulating genetic material(liquid biopsy)and next-generation sequencing are powerful techniques for genetic analysis,which will increase our understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms and may reveal potential therapeutic targets.The role of chemotherapy in non-metastatic disease is still controversial,and there is a need to identify patients who really benefit from this treatment.Novel chemotherapeutic regimens have entered clinical praxis and can change the outcome of patients with metastatic disease.Advances in radiotherapy have helped decrease local adverse effects and sustain good local control of the disease.The following report provides an updated view of the diagnosis,treatment,and future perspectives on the management of patients with soft tissue sarcomas.展开更多
Identification of genetic signatures is the main objective for many computational oncology studies. The signature usually consists of numerous genes that are differentially expressed between two clinically distinct gr...Identification of genetic signatures is the main objective for many computational oncology studies. The signature usually consists of numerous genes that are differentially expressed between two clinically distinct groups of samples, such as tumor subtypes. Prospectively, many signatures have been found to generalize poorly to other datasets and, thus, have rarely been accepted into clinical use. Recognizing the limited success of traditionally generated signatures, we developed a systems biology-based framework for robust identification of key transcription factors and their genomic regulatory neighborhoods. Application of the framework to study the differences between gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and leiomyosarcoma (LMS) resulted in the identification of nine transcription factors (SRF, NKX2-5, CCDC6, LEF1, VDR, ZNF250, TRIM63, MAF, and MYC). Functional annotations of the obtained neighborhoods identified the biological processes which the key transcription factors regulate differently between the tumor types. Analyzing the differences in the expression patterns using our approach resulted in a more robust genetic signature and more biological insight into the diseases compared to a traditional genetic signature.展开更多
基金Supported by Basic Scientific Research Business of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences,No.2016ZX310020
文摘Clear-cell sarcoma is a rare, malignant soft tissue tumor that displays melanocytic differentiation with a distinct molecular profile. It is rarely localized in the gastrointestinal tract. Herein we reported a case of multiple synchronous clear-cell sarcomas of the gastrointestinal tract with parotid gland metastasis. A 51-year-old male patient presented with a growing painless mass under the right ear. A preoperative positron emission tomography/computed tomography showed multiple intestinal masses and a mass in the right parotid with increased glucose uptake, and he underwent operative treatment with resection of three tumors in the jejunum and ileum and then received a right parotidectomy. Postoperative pathological examination showed that cells in the intestinal tumor were consistent with clear-cell sarcoma of the gastrointestinal tract, and the malignant cells in the parotid gland were similar to the intestinal tumor. Immunohistochemical studies revealed positive expression of HMB-45, Melan-A, and S-100. EWSR1 gene fusion transcripts were undetectable by fluorescence in situ hybridization.
文摘It is important for surgeons performing sarcoma surgery to know that bone resection and tumor prosthesis applications in soft tissue sarcomas(STS)have unique features in terms of indication,surgical approach and follow-up,in terms of the management of these cases.Some STS are associated with bone and major neurovascular structures.Bone-associated STS are generally relatively large and relatively deep-seated.Additionally,the tendency for metastasis is high.In some cases,the decision about which structures to resect is difficult.These cases are often accompanied by poor oncological and surgical outcomes.Management of cases should be done by a multidisciplinary team in advanced centers specialized in this field.The surgical team must have sufficient knowledge and experience in the field of limb-sparing surgery.Preoperative evaluation and especially good planning of bone and soft tissue reconstruction are vital.
文摘Soft-tissue sarcomas are uncommon tumors that have traditionally been managed by wide excisional surgery and radiotherapy;the use of chemotherapy has been reserved for advanced disease. Advances in multidisciplinary care have improved the evaluation and care of patients with this disease. Limb-conserving surgical paradigms, superior radiotherapy delivery, and novel adjuvant agents for specific tumors are now available. The objective of this study is to report the epidemiological, clinical, histological, therapeutic and evolutionary characteristics of soft tissue sarcomas at the oncology hospital: Chu Hassan II in FEZ, and to define the factors influencing patient survival. This is a retrospective study of 232 cases of soft tissue sarcoma, collected between January 2010 and June 2020. The eligibility criteria were an age greater than 16 years, and histological evidence of a soft tissue sarcoma excluding gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). Items collected were: epidemiological, clinical, histological, radiological, and therapeutic. These are 232 cases, 120 Men and 112 Women, the mean age was 48.89 years (Extreme = 18 - 76 years). The tumor was localized to the extremities at (58.72%). The predominant histological type was Leiomyosarcoma in 61 cases (26.29%). The tumor stage was localized in (17.67%) of cases, locally advanced in 34.05% and metastatic in 44.08% of patients, all localized cases were treated surgically including (84%) conservative surgery and (16%) radical surgery. Radiation therapy was performed in 32.75% of patients. Chemotherapy was performed in 74.14% of patients. Age and tumor stage are prognostic factors influencing the survival of soft tissue sarcomas.
文摘We report here the case of a young patient with metastatic clear-cell sarcoma of the kidney resistant to standard chemotherapy, and with complete response under sorafenib treatment. The remarkable response of her tumor to sorafenib led us to study sorafenib molecular targets in the metastatic tissue. Background: Biomarkers predicting response to anti-angiogenic tyrosine kinase inhibitors remain to be identified. Methods and Findings: In this paper, we studied the molecular targets of sorafenib in the lung metastasis of a kidney clear-cell sarcoma. In a patient with complete response under sorafenib treatment, we showed high VEGFR2 expression by tumor endothelial cells from the lung metastasis. Conclusion: The original mechanistic results that we obtained using immunostainings and quantitative RT-PCR on laser-microdissected tumor endothelial cells have a direct application in daily clinical practice: metastatic tumors with a large angiogenic component should be tested for VEGFRs expression to consider anti-angiogenic tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatments.
文摘BACKGROUND In patients with metastatic colorectal cancer(mCRC),the treatment options are limited and have been proved to be affected by rat sarcoma virus(RAS)mutational status.In RAS wild-type(wt)patients,the combination of antiepidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)monoclonal antibodies with chemotherapy(CT)is more effective than CT alone.On the other hand,RAS-mutated patients are not eligible for treatment with anti-EGFR antibodies.CASE SUMMARY Eleven patients with initially RAS-mutated mCRC were followed from diagnosis to May 2022.At the time of cell-free DNA determination,five patients had undergone one CT line,five patients had undergone two CT lines,and one patient had undergone three CT lines(all in combination with bevacizumab).At the second and third treatment lines[second line(2L),third line(3L)],patients with neo-RAS wt received a combination of CT and cetuximab.In neo-RAS wt patients treated with anti-EGFR,our findings indicated an increase in progression-free survival for both 2L and 3L(14.5 mo,P=0.119 and 3.9 mo,P=0.882,respectively).Regarding 2L overall survival,we registered a slight increase in neo-RAS wt patients treated with anti-EGFR(33.6 mo vs 32.4 mo,P=0.385).At data cut-off,two patients were still alive:A RAS-mutated patient undergoing 3L treatment and a neo-RAS wt patient who received 2L treatment with anti-EGFR(ongoing).CONCLUSION Our case series demonstrated that monitoring RAS mutations in mCRC by liquid biopsy may provide an additional treatment line for neo-RAS wt patients.
文摘In this editorial based on a case report,we delve into a seldom-seen occurrence of clear cell sarcoma featuring pancreatic metastasis in a 47-year-old male patient.Recognized for its typical tendency to metastasize to the lungs,bones,and brain,clear cell sarcoma rarely extends its reach to the pancreas.Despite the initial absence of discernible abnormalities during the patient's physical examination,the manifestation of abdominal pain prompted further investigation.Subsequent abdominal computed tomography brought to light the presence of a pancreatic tumor,culminating in the definitive diagnosis of clear cell sarcoma with pancreatic metastasis.The successful management of this atypical presentation involved a series of surgical interventions,including distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy.This report not only sheds light on the infrequent manifestation of clear cell sarcoma within the pancreas but also underscores the pivotal role of vigilant postoperative follow-up in addressing this rare sarcoma.The emphasis on postoperative care serves as a crucial aspect of the broader narrative,acknowledging the need for ongoing monitoring and management to ensure a comprehensive and successful treatment trajectory for patients with this unique presentation of clear cell sarcoma.
基金Supported by the People’s Livelihood Science and Technology Innovation Project of the Bureau of Science and Technology of Jiaxing City,No.2021AD30091.
文摘BACKGROUND Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma(UPS)is a rare malignant mesenchymal tumor with a poor prognosis.It mainly occurs in the extremities,trunk,head and neck,and retroperitoneum regions.Owing to the lack of specific clinical manifestations and imaging features,UPS diagnosis mainly depends on pathological and immunohistochemical examinations for exclusive diagnosis.Here we report an extremely rare case of high-grade UPS in the common bile duct(CBD).There are limited available data on such cases.CASE SUMMARY A 70-year-old woman was admitted to our department with yellow eyes and urine accompanied by upper abdominal distending pain for 2 wk.Her laboratory data suggested significantly elevated hepatorenal function levels.The imaging data revealed calculous cholecystitis,intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile duct dilation with extrahepatic bile duct calculi,and a space-occupying lesion at the distal CBD.After endoscopic biliary stenting and symptomatic support therapy,CBD exploration and biopsy were performed.The frozen section indicated malignant spindle cell tumor of the CBD mass,and further radical pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed.Finally,the neoplasm was diagnosed as a high-grade UPS combined with the light-microscopic morphology and immunohistochemical results.CONCLUSION This extremely rare case highlighted the need for increasing physicians'vigilance,reducing the odds of misdiagnosis,and providing appropriate treatment strategies.
文摘Introduction: Kaposi sarcoma disease is a proliferative and multifocal disorder with dual components, vascular and fibroblastic cellular, cutaneous and visceral expression. Kaposi Sarcoma can affect the ocular surface and adnexa and can masquerade as other entities, delaying prompt diagnosis can lead to diagnostic wandering delaying treatment. Our aim is to describe a case of KS of the eyelid in an HIV seronegative patient. Case Presentation: A seventy-year-old man developed a bilateral growing tumoral reddish purple vascular mass on both the lower and upper eyelid involving rapidly for 6 months. Both feet and the two shanks show the presence of a brown-violet tumor-shaped formation. The patient was negative for HIV. Histology examination showed a nodular tumor-like mass with a fibro hemangioma-epitheliomatous. Polymerase chain reaction was positive for human herpes virus 8. Initial chemotherapy followed by surgery was proposed to the patient. Unfortunately, the patient rejected treatment and was lost to follow-up. Conclusion: This case reports the difficulty of managing KS in developing countries.
文摘BACKGROUND Ewing’s sarcoma(ES)is a neuroectodermal tumor that typically occurs in the bones and soft tissues of children and young adults.Primary renal ES is rare;only a few cases and a small case series have been documented,and only four cases involved primary renal ES in older people(>65 years old).CASE SUMMARY Herein,we describe the radiological and pathological features of primary renal ES in an older person.A 76-year-old man complained of poor oral intake and was found to have a large cystic renal mass with indistinct margins on computed tomography.Ultrasound-guided biopsy revealed that the tumor contained small round blue cells.The patient underwent a right radical nephrectomy.The tumor cells showed diffuse membranous CD99,and nuclear friend leukemia integration 1 transcription factor and NK2 Homeobox 2.Fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed EWSR1 translocation.Postoperatively,18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography revealed no evidence of metastasis.The patient was diagnosed with primary renal ES.Six months following the surgery,local recurrence and distant metastasis were observed.Primary renal ES is rare and often lethal in older individuals.The specific imaging findings are unknown,and treatment protocols have not been standardized.CONCLUSION This case report describes the radiological and pathological features of primary renal ES in an older person.
文摘Primary or secondary clear cell sarcoma of the pancreas is an exceedingly rare and aggressive disease.In addition to pathology,molecular analysis is pivotal in differential diagnosis,especially with malignant melanoma.A key aspect in identifying clear cell sarcoma is specific genetic alterations,notably the translocation of t(12;22)(q13;q13),a diagnostic hallmark of this sarcoma subtype,which is absent in malignant melanoma.Treatment of primary clear cell sarcoma of the pancreas is the same as that for adenocarcinoma.
基金Supported by The Shenzhen Science and Technology Program,No.JCYJ20220530144407017.
文摘BACKGROUND We present a case of an EWSR1/FUS::NFATC2 rearranged sarcoma in the left forearm and analyze its clinicopathological and molecular features.CASE SUMMARY The patient is a 23-year-old woman.Microscopically,the tumor cells were medium-sized round cells arranged in small nests.The cytoplasm was clear,nuclei were relatively uniform,chromatin was dense,nucleoli were visible,and mitotic figures were rare.Immunohistochemically,the tumor cells were positive for Vimentin,INI-1,CD99,NKX2.2,CyclinD1,friend leukaemia virus integration 1,and NKX3.1.Next-generation sequencing revealed the presence of the EWSR1-NFATC2 fusion gene.EWSR1/FUS::NFATC2 rearranged sarcomas are rare and can easily be misdiagnosed.CONCLUSION Clinical imaging,immunohistochemistry,and molecular pathology should be considered to confirm the diagnosis.
文摘This article presents a comprehensive case report on an uncommon instance of metastatic clear cell sarcoma(CCS)originating from the pancreas.The high mortality rate of pancreatic carcinoma underscores the importance of precise diagnosis and early detection.The authors report a novel case of CCS with pancreatic metastasis,detailing successful surgical intervention through distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy,resulting in favourable outcomes.This study highlights the standard role of surgery in treating advanced CCS and emphasizes preoperative imaging and thorough patient history assessment.This article also underscores the necessity for long-term surveillance due to the potential for recurrence or metastasis.Despite the favourable recovery postsurgery,the absence of subsequent follow-up evaluation prompts consideration of the need for extended monitoring.This article raises questions about the nature of the pancreatic lesion and suggests the possibility of a primary lesion.Further evidence is crucial to establish the correlation between the features related to the development of the patient's primary and metastatic tumours.In conclusion,this study offers valuable insights into metastatic CCS of the pancreas,highlighting the importance of regular postoperative follow-up for improved outcomes through early detection and intervention.
文摘BACKGROUND Clear cell sarcoma(CCS)is a rare soft-tissue sarcoma.The most common metastatic sites for CCS are the lungs,bones and brain.CCS is highly invasive and mainly metastasizes to the lung,followed by the bone and brain;however,pancreatic metastasis is relatively rare.CASE SUMMARY We report on a rare case of CCS with pancreatic metastasis in a 47-year-old man.The patient had a relevant medical history 3 years ago,with abdominal pain as the main clinical manifestation.No abnormalities were observed on physical examination and the tumor was found on abdominal computed tomography.Based on the medical history and postoperative pathology,the patient was diagnosed with CCS with pancreatic metastasis.The patient was successfully treated with surgical interventions,including distal pancreatectomy and sple-nectomy.CONCLUSION This report summarizes the available treatment modalities for CCS and the importance of regular postoperative follow-up for patients with CCS.
文摘BACKGROUND Low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma(LGMS)is an extremely rare tumor characterized by the malignant proliferation of myofibroblasts.LGMS most commonly develops in adults,predominantly in males,in the head and neck region,oral cavity,especially on the tongue,mandible,and larynx.This article presents 2 cases of LGMS localized to the maxillary sinus and provides an overview of the available literature.CASE SUMMARY Two patients with LGMS located in the maxillary sinus underwent surgery at the Department of Head and Neck Surgery.Case 1:A 46-year-old patient was admitted to the clinic with suspected LGMS recurrence in the right maxillary sinus(rT4aN0M0),with symptoms of pain in the suborbital area,watering of the right eye,thick discharge from the right nostril,and augmented facial asymmetry.After open biopsy-confirmed LGMS,the patient underwent expanded maxillectomy of the right side with immediate palate reconstruction using a microvascular skin flap harvested surgically from the middle arm.The patient qualified for adjuvant radiotherapy for the postoperative bed,with an additional margin.Currently,the patient is under 1.5 years of observation with no evidence of disease.Case 2:A 45-year-old man was admitted to our clinic with facial asymmetry,strabismus,exophthalmos,and visual impairment in the right eye.Six months earlier,the patient had undergone partial jaw resection at another hospital for fibromatosis.A contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan revealed a tumor mass in the postoperative log after an earlier procedure.An open biopsy confirmed lowgrade fibrosarcoma(rT4aN0M0).The patient qualified for an extended total right maxillectomy with orbital excision and right hemimandibulectomy with immediate microvascular reconstruction using an anterolateral thigh flap.The patient subsequently underwent adjuvant radiotherapy to the postoperative area.After 9 months,recurrence occurred in the right mandibular arch below the irradiated area.The lesion infiltrated the base of the skull,which warranted the withdrawal of radiotherapy and salvage surgery.The patient qualified for palliative chemotherapy with a regimen of doxorubicin+dacarbazine+cyclophosphamide and palliative radiotherapy for bone metastases.The patient died 26 months after surgical treatment.The cases have been assessed and compared with cases in the literature.CONCLUSION No specific diagnostic criteria or treatment strategies have been developed for LGMS.The treatment used for LGMS is the same as that used for sinonasal cancer radical tumor excision;adjuvant radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy should also be considered.They have low malignant potential but are highly invasive,tend to recur,and metastasize to distant sites.Patients should undergo regular follow-up examinations to detect recurrence or metastasis at an early stage.Patients should be treated and observed at the highest referral centers.
文摘Introduction: Atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX) and pleomorphic dermal sarcoma (PDS) are one spectrum of rare cutaneous neoplasms that typically arise in sun-exposed skin of older population. AFX/PDS is essentially diagnosis of exclusion requiring Immunohistochemical work-up to exclude other types of tumors. Case Report: We present a case involving an ulcerated solitary lesion on the scalp of an elderly man. Histological examination revealed that the dermal tumor was composed of large pleomorphic, epithelioid, and spindle cells with clear cytoplasm. These cells were negative for cytokeratins, melanocytes and smooth muscle markers, but positive for CD10. These findings are consistent with a diagnosis of clear cell (CC) PDS. Conclusion: PDS is a low-grade malignancy that can recur locally and metastasize, which is distinguished from AFX by its larger size and the presence of aggressive histopathologic features including deeper invasion into the subcutaneous tissue, tumor necrosis, and lymphovascular and/or perineural involvement. Among several histopathologic variants, the CC variant is extremely rare with only two cases of PDS reported in the literature to date.
文摘Pediatric soft tissue sarcomas are a group of malignant neoplasms arising within embryonic mesenchymal tissues during the process of differentiation into muscle, fascia and fat. The tumors have a biphasic peak for age of incidence. Rhabdomyosarcoma(RMS) is diagnosed more frequently in younger children, whereas adult-type non-RMS soft tissue sarcoma is predominately observed in adolescents. The latter group comprises a variety of rare tumors for which diagnosis can be difficult and typically requires special studies, including immunohistochemistry and molecular genetic analysis. Current management for the majority of pediatric sarcomas is based on the data from large multi-institutional trials, which has led to great improvements in outcomes over recent decades. Although surgery remains the mainstay of treatment, the curative aim cannot be achieved without adjuvant treatment. Pre-treatment staging and risk classification are of prime importance in selecting an effective treatment protocol. Tumor resectability, the response to induction chemotherapy, and radiation generally determine the risk-group, and these factors are functions of tumor site, size and biology. Surgery provides the best choice of local control of small resectable tumors in a favorable site. Radiation therapy is added when surgery leaves residual disease or there is evidence of regional spread. Chemotherapy aims to reduce the risk of relapse and improve overall survival. In addition, upfront chemotherapy reduces the aggressiveness of the required surgery and helps preserve organ function in a number of cases. Long-term survival in low-risk sarcomas is feasible, and the intensity of treatment can be reduced. In high-risk sarcoma, current research is allowing more effective disease control.
文摘BACKGROUND Primary hepatic sarcoma is a rare tumor originated from mesenchymal tissue.There are various pathologic types of primary hepatic sarcoma and the treatment outcome of this tumor was usually disappointing.Unlike hepatocellular carcinoma,outcome of primary hepatic sarcoma is not well-known due to it’s rarity.However,with development of medical technology,surgical treatment may lead to better survival.AIM To investigate the surgical outcomes of primary hepatic sarcoma,we gathered and analyzed the cases of a single institute.METHODS From August 2001 to September 2016,a total of nine patients were surgically treated for primary hepatic sarcoma after exclusion of cases with open and closure,early loss to follow-up and sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma and sarcomatoid cholangiocellular carcinoma.Baseline characteristics,tumor characteristics such as tumor pathology,size and number,surgical and adjuvant treatments were reviewed.Tumor recurrence,and patient survival were analyzed with retrospective approach.RESULTS The enrolled participants included five patients with angiosarcoma and four patients with undifferentiated sarcoma.All patients experienced tumor recurrence at a median of 52 post-operative days.Only two patients survived and the 5-year survival rate was 29.6%.One patient with angiosarcoma who received central hepatectomy for primary tumor and received radiofrequency ablation for recurrent tumor still lives for 11 years.One patient with undifferentiated sarcoma received Rt.lobectomy for primary tumor followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy still lives around 30 mo even though she got additional operation for recurrent tumor.Two patients who received living donor liver transplantation due to angiosarcoma died.Only adjuvant therapy was associated with survival gain(P=0.002).CONCLUSION Patients with primary hepatic sarcoma may gain survival benefit with surgical resection followed by adjuvant therapy,even though the outcome remains relatively poor.
文摘Osteosarcoma (OS), chondrosarcoma (CSA), and Ewings sarcoma (ES) are the most common primary malignancies of bone, and are rare diseases. As with all sarcomas, the prognosis of these diseases ultimately depends on the presence of metastatic disease. Survival is therefore closely linked with the biology and metastatic potential of a particular bone tumor’s cells. Here we describe a significant correlation of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity and the presence/absence of distant metastases in ten consecutive cases of human bone sarcomas. Additionally, cultured human CSA cells, which are historically chemo- and radio-resistant, may be sensitive to the ALDH inhibitor, disulfiram. While it is premature to draw broad conclusions from such a small series, the importance of ALDH activity and inhibition in the metastatic potential of primary bone sarcomas should be investigated further.
文摘Standard treatment for soft tissue sarcoma,based on complete surgical resection with or without adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy,has not substantially changed during the last several decades.Nevertheless,recent advances have contributed to considerable improvement in the management of these patients;for example,new magnetic resonance imaging sequences such as diffusionweighted imaging and magnetic resonance imaging radiomics can better assess tumor extension and even estimate its grade.Detection of circulating genetic material(liquid biopsy)and next-generation sequencing are powerful techniques for genetic analysis,which will increase our understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms and may reveal potential therapeutic targets.The role of chemotherapy in non-metastatic disease is still controversial,and there is a need to identify patients who really benefit from this treatment.Novel chemotherapeutic regimens have entered clinical praxis and can change the outcome of patients with metastatic disease.Advances in radiotherapy have helped decrease local adverse effects and sustain good local control of the disease.The following report provides an updated view of the diagnosis,treatment,and future perspectives on the management of patients with soft tissue sarcomas.
基金supported by Project for the Biological Information and Information Processing Properties of Biological Systems from the Academy of Finland(No.122973)Project for the Structure-dynamics Relationships in Biological Network from the Academy of Finland(No.132877)Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation Finland Distinguished Professor program(No.1480/31/09)
文摘Identification of genetic signatures is the main objective for many computational oncology studies. The signature usually consists of numerous genes that are differentially expressed between two clinically distinct groups of samples, such as tumor subtypes. Prospectively, many signatures have been found to generalize poorly to other datasets and, thus, have rarely been accepted into clinical use. Recognizing the limited success of traditionally generated signatures, we developed a systems biology-based framework for robust identification of key transcription factors and their genomic regulatory neighborhoods. Application of the framework to study the differences between gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and leiomyosarcoma (LMS) resulted in the identification of nine transcription factors (SRF, NKX2-5, CCDC6, LEF1, VDR, ZNF250, TRIM63, MAF, and MYC). Functional annotations of the obtained neighborhoods identified the biological processes which the key transcription factors regulate differently between the tumor types. Analyzing the differences in the expression patterns using our approach resulted in a more robust genetic signature and more biological insight into the diseases compared to a traditional genetic signature.