Molecular Testing Prevents Overdiagnosis of Epithelioid Hemangioma

Abstract

Abstract Introduction/Objective Epithelioid hemangiomas (EH) are mostly solitary benign vascular tumors commonly involving the dermal and subcutaneous areas of the head and neck. However, reports of multifocality are increasing, specially in same anatomic region. Some reported cases of EH show morphologic features that may mimic malignant vascular tumors such as hemangioendotheliomas or angiosarcomas. However, there are no reported overlaps in the molecular characteristics of these tumors. We describe a multifocal EH with atypical features, suspicious for angiosarcoma, which needed molecular testing to resolve the diagnosis. Methods/Case Report The patient is a previously healthy 42-year-old male with a 5-month history of multiple growing painless penile nodules. Biopsy of one of the nodules was done. Histologic examination showed multifocal dermal- based ill-circumscribed nodules with interspersed inflammatory infiltrates and focal areas of necrosis. Tumor periphery shows vasoformative growth with intraluminal and extravasated red blood cells. Neoplastic cells were large and ovoid with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, large vesicular pleomorphic nuclei and prominent nucleoli. Immunohistochemical stains showed strong expression of ERG, FLI-1, and CD31 and negativity for AE1/AE3, CD34, HHV8 and EMA. The morphologic and immunohistochemical features of the specimen showed significant overlap of two primary differential diagnoses - epithelioid angiosarcoma and epithelioid hemangioma. Ultimately, molecular testing revealed ZFP36-FOSB fusion, confirming the diagnosis of EH. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) NA Conclusion Differentiating benign and malignant epithelioid vascular neoplasms can sometimes be challenging. There can be overlap in terms of architectural variety, presence of necrosis, vasoformation, inflammatory cell components and cytologic features, especially in EH with atypical features and epithelioid angiosarcoma (EA). Both of these tumors show positive immunoreactivity for CD31, CD34, FLI1 and ERG, and negativity for most keratins. Currently, the most reliable way to distinguish each tumor is molecular testing, with EH having FOS/FOSB rearrangements and EA with MYC or FLT4 amplification. Benign and malignant epithelioid vascular tumors can be indistinguishable morphologically and immunohistochemically. Molecular tests can help differentiate these neoplasms to better tailor patient management.