Recurrent perivascular epithelioid cell tumor of the uterus (PEComa): an immunohistochemical study and review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Neoplasms of the perivascular epithelioid cell, first described in 1992, comprise a family of tumors known as "PEComas." To the best of our knowledge, this is the third case of uterine PEComa reported in the literature to behave in a malignant fashion. The purpose of this report is to provide information that may be used to predict the future behavior of this tumor.


METHODS
The patient was a 79-year-old woman with a large uterine mass which recurred 2 years following resection. The patient died within months after resection of the recurrent tumor. Retrospective immunohistochemical staining with newly commercially available antibodies including MART-1 was done on both the original and the recurrent tumor, confirming the diagnosis of uterine PEComa.


CONCLUSIONS
Uterine PEComas should be regarded as tumors with uncertain malignant potential.
D000368:Aged; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D015622:Epithelioid Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D058965:MART-1 Antigen; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D058965:MART-1 Antigen; C548667:MLANA protein, human; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins