Clear cell sarcoma of the stomach.
OBJECTIVE
Clear cell sarcoma is a high-grade sarcoma with morphological features resembling malignant melanoma. This tumour is reported to display a characteristic distribution pattern nearly always involving the extremities. We report the first case of clear cell sarcoma of the stomach.


RESULTS
A 30-year-old male developed a huge tumour of the stomach, which at first glance could be considered as a poorly differentiated carcinoma. Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural examinations were consistent with a diagnosis of metastatic melanoma. However, cytogenetic examination revealed a t(12;22) translocation, specific for clear cell sarcoma. This was confirmed by fluorescence in-situ hybridization.


CONCLUSIONS
Making a reliable diagnosis of clear cell sarcoma of the stomach requires cytogenetic or molecular diagnostic investigations, particularly to rule out metastatic melanoma. This diagnosis avoids an unnecessary search for a primary melanoma.
Pauwels
P
P
Stichting PAMM, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, Michelangelolaan 2, 5623 EJ Eindhoven, The Netherlands. P.Pauwels@pamm.nl
Debiec-Rychter
M
M
Sciot
R
R
Vlasveld
T
T
den Butter
B
B
Hagemeijer
A
A
Hogendoorn
P C W
PC
D000328:Adult; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology; D002892:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22 / Q000235:genetics*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D034802:RNA-Binding Protein EWS / Q000235:genetics; D018227:Sarcoma, Clear Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014178:Translocation, Genetic
D034802:RNA-Binding Protein EWS