title: Clear cell sarcoma (malignant melanoma of soft parts) and sentinel lymph node biopsy.
abstract: Clear cell sarcoma of the tendons and aponeuroses is an aggressive, rare soft tissue tumour that occurs predominantly in the extremities of young adults. Although it appears to be histogenetically related to melanoma, its clinical behaviour resembles soft tissue sarcoma. Prognosis is reported to be poor due to the great propensity of regional and distant metastases. The risk of metastases to regional lymph nodes is very high. We describe a case of clear cell sarcoma of the hand and evaluate the feasibility of the sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) technique in this kind of tumour. Up to now, there are no reports that describe the use of SLNB in clear cell sarcoma. The SLNB technique was carried out with success and the sentinel lymphnode was easily identified. Histological examination of the lymphnode allowed identification of metastatic cells and thus provide for radical lymphadenectomy. We maintain that SLNB can be successfully used for this type of tumour although this result should be evaluated and confirmed by larger case studies.
authors.affiliation: Operative Unit of Surgical Dermatology, Department of Pathology, Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (IRCC), Strada Provinciale 142, Km 3.95, 10060 Candiolo, Italy. fpicciotto@mauriziano.it
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Picciotto
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zaccagna
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Derosa
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pisacane
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Puiatti
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Colombo
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dardano
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ottinetti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018227:Sarcoma, Clear Cell / Q000473:pathology*; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*