RESUMO
PURPOSE: Diffuse leptomeningeal glioneuronal tumour (DLGNT) is an extremely rare tumour involving the neuroaxis. At present, its exact pathogenesis and associated factors remain incompletely characterised. Recent molecular investigations in a small cohort have offered some insights into this disease. However, the role of germline findings has not yet been fully explored in affected patients. The authors present a case of DLGNT, focusing on the clinical and molecular features with reference to current disease knowledge. METHODS: A 4-year-old male presented with raised intracranial pressure symptoms secondary to extensive leptomeningeal disease of the brain and spine. Preliminary impression was that of an inflammatory lesion. RESULTS: A lumbar biopsy of the lesion confirmed DLGNT on routine diagnostic examination. Further molecular analysis of his tumour and blood demonstrated a previously unreported TP53 exon 5 (c.147V > I) germline variant. Based on the latest DLGNT molecular subtyping classification, his tumour falls into the group with better clinical outcome. However, his germline findings may add an extra layer of uncertainty to his overall prognosis. CONCLUSION: Given that much remains unknown in many rare paediatric tumours at this stage, isolated findings found in an individual may be of significance. Supplementary genetic information, together with tumour molecular analysis, add to our current understanding of this uncommon disease. This case highlights the benefit of combined clinical and molecular efforts, including germline testing, especially for children affected by such challenging neoplasms.
Assuntos
Neoplasias do Sistema Nervoso Central/genética , Neoplasias Meníngeas/genética , Neoplasias Neuroepiteliomatosas/genética , Proteína Supressora de Tumor p53/genética , Antineoplásicos/uso terapêutico , Neoplasias do Sistema Nervoso Central/patologia , Neoplasias do Sistema Nervoso Central/terapia , Pré-Escolar , Humanos , Masculino , Neoplasias Meníngeas/patologia , Neoplasias Meníngeas/terapia , Neoplasias Neuroepiteliomatosas/patologia , Neoplasias Neuroepiteliomatosas/terapia , Procedimentos Neurocirúrgicos/métodos , Polimorfismo de Nucleotídeo ÚnicoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Primary paediatric epidural sarcomas are extremely rare. Overall, there remains a paucity of knowledge in paediatric epidural sarcomas owing to the infrequent number of cases. The Archer FusionPlex Sarcoma Kit (ArcherDX, Inc) is a next-generation sequencing assay that has been reported to be a useful technique to detect recurrent fusion in sarcomas. We report the molecular exploration of 3 primary paediatric epidural sarcomas-one in the cranium (mesenchymal chondrosarcoma) and 2 in the spine (mesenchymal chondrosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma respectively). CASE PRESENTATION: This is a study approved by the hospital ethics board. Clinico-pathological information from 3 consenting patients with primary epidural sarcomas was collected. These selected tumours are interrogated via Archer FusionPlex Sarcoma Kit (ArcherDX, Inc) for genomic aberrations. Results were validated with RT-PCR and Sanger sequencing. All findings are corroborated and discussed in concordance with current literature. Our findings show 2 variants of the HEY1-NCOA2 gene fusion: HEY1 (exon 4)-NCOA2 (exon 13) and HEY1 (exon 4)-NCOA2 (exon 14), in both mesenchymal chondrosarcoma patients. Next, the Ewing sarcoma tumour is found to have EWSR1 (exon 10)-FLI1 (exon 8) translocation based on NGS. This result is not detected via conventional fluorescence in situ testing. CONCLUSIONS: This is a molecularly-centered study based on 3 unique primary paediatric epidural sarcomas. Our findings to add to the growing body of literature for these exceptionally rare and malignant neoplasms. The authors advocate global collaborative efforts and in-depth studies for targeted therapy to benefit affected children.
