PEComa

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Shyam Patel [2] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Zahir Ali Shaikh, MD[3]

• Synonyms and keywords:Perivascular epithelioid cell tumor

Overview[edit | edit source]

The World Health Organization defines perivascular epithelioid cell tumors (PEComas) as mesenchymal tumors composed of histologically and immunohistochemically distinctive perivascular epithelioid cells (PECs). PEComas were first discovered by Pea and Colleagues in 1991. Zamboni et al in 1996 suggested the name PEComa for these neoplasms. They are a group of tumors that includes: angiomyolipoma (AML), lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), and others. PEC has no normal counterpart, it expresses myogenic and melanocytes markers such as HMB45 and actin. Genetically they are linked to the tuberous sclerosis genes 1 and 2. There are no established risk factors for the PEComas but the risk increases in patients with tuberous sclerosis. The symptoms depend upon the area involved and can include palpable abdominal mass/abnormal vaginal bleeding (uterus), flank pain (kidney), or dull abdominal pain in the right upper quadrant (liver). It may occur in any age group, but median age is 54 years and is more common in females. Clinically, most PEComas are benign. CT scan and presence of PECs on histology are helpful in diagnosis. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment; however, other chemotherapeutic and immunotherapeutic drugs are under investigation.

Historical Perspective[edit | edit source]

• In 1991, Pea et al first discovered PEComas, where they noticed these unusual cells in both angiomyolipoma (AML) and clear cell sugar tumor of lung (CCST).^[1]
• In 1992, Bonetti et al proposed a cellular link between AML, clear cell sugar tumor (CCST), and lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). They also associated these conditions with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and advanced the concept of a family of neoplasms composed of these distinctive cells which were immunoreactive with melanocytes markers and exhibit and epitheloid appearance, a clear acidophilic cytoplasm and a perivascular distribution.^[2]
• In 1996, Zamboni et al reported the first case of pancreatic CCST and suggested the name PEComa for these neoplasms composed of a pure proliferation of perivascular epithlioid cells (PECs).^[3]

Classification[edit | edit source]

• The World Health Organization defines perivascular epithelioid cell tumors (PEComas) as "mesenchymal tumors composed of histologically and immunohistochemically distinctive perivascular epithelioid cells (PECs)".^[4]
• There is no established system for the classification of PEComas because of the rarity of disease, but the PEComas are a group of tumors that includes following:^[5]
  • Angiomyolipoma (AML)
  • Clear cell sugar tumor of lung (CCST)
  • Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM)
  • PEComas Not Otherwise Specified (PEComas-NOS); which includes:
    • Clear cell myomelanocytic tumor of falciform ligament/ligamentum teres
    • Abdominopelvic sarcoma of perivascular epithelioid cells
    • Primary extrapulmonary clear cell sugar tumor
• Folpe and Colleagues suggested criteria for malignancy based of following three criteria:^[6]
  • Size greater than 8.0 cm
  • Mitotic count of 1/50 high power field (HPF)
  • Necrosis

Pathophysiology[edit | edit source]

• Perivascular epithlioid cell (PEC) is a cell type constantly present in a group of tumors called PEComas. It has no normal counterpart.
• PEC expresses myogenic and melanocytic markers such as HMB45 and actin.^[7]

Microscopic Pathology[edit | edit source]

• Perivascular epithlioid cells (PECs) are perivascular epithelioid cells with a clear/granular cytoplasm and round, oval, centrally located nucleus without prominent nucleoli. They have mild to any atypia.^[7]
• On ultrastructural analysis, PEC contains microfilament bundles with electron dense condensation, numerous mitochondria and membrane bound dense granules.^[8]

Genetics[edit | edit source]

• The precursor cell of PEComas is currently unknown. Genetically, PECs are linked to the tuberous sclerosis genes TSC1 and TSC2.^[7]

Causes[edit | edit source]

• PEComas are cause by genetic factors. Mutations in the tuberous sclerosis genes TSC1 and TSC2 has been associated.^[7]

Differentiating PEComa from other Diseases[edit | edit source]

• PEComas must be differentiated from:^[6]
  • Epithelioid smooth muscle cell tumors(epithelioid leiomyosarcoma and epithelioid leiomyoma)
  • Malignant Melanoma
  • Clear cell sarcoma of tendon and aponeurosis(melanoma of soft parts)
  • Alveolar soft part sarcoma
  • endometrial stromal sarcoma with clear cell features
  • Carcinoma (especially renal cell and adrenocortical carcinoma)
  • Paraganglioma
  • Any other tumor with focal or prominent clear cell change

Epidemiology and Demographics[edit | edit source]

• Patients of all age groups may develop PEComas, but the mean age at diagnosis is 54 years.^[9]
• Women are more commonly affected by PEComas than men.

Risk Factors[edit | edit source]

• There are no established risk factors for PEComas, but the risk increases in patients with tuberous sclerosis as the PECs are associated with TSC1 and TSC2 genes.

Screening[edit | edit source]

• There is insufficient evidence to recommend routine screening for PEComas.

Natural History, Complications, and Prognosis[edit | edit source]

• Clinically, most PEComas follow a benign course.^[10]
• Malignant PEComas are also reported, many originating in the uterus and others arising in the prostate, jejunum, pelvis, broad ligament and somatic soft tissue.
• They can metastasize distally to liver, lungs, intestines, bone and lymph nodes^[11]

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

Diagnostic Study of Choice[edit | edit source]

• There are no established criteria for the diagnosis of PEComas.

History and Symptoms[edit | edit source]

• The symptoms of PEComa depend on the area involved:
  • Palpable abdominal masses or abnormal vaginal bleeding (uterus)^[12]
  • Flank pain (kidneys)^[13]
  • Dull abdominal pain in right upper quadrant (liver)^[14]

Physical Examination[edit | edit source]

• There are no any specific physical examination findings related to the PEComas.

Laboratory findings[edit | edit source]

Immunohistochemical markers[edit | edit source]

• PECs typically stain for melanocytic markers (HMB-45, HMSA-1, Melan A (Mart 1), microophthalmia transcription factor (Mitf), myogenic markers (actin), and less commonly desmin.
• Immunoreactivity for vimentin is unclear.^[7]

Electrocardiogram[edit | edit source]

• There are no ECG findings associated with PEComas.

X-ray[edit | edit source]

• There are no x-ray findings associated with PEComas.

Echocardiography or Ultrasound[edit | edit source]

• There are no echocardiography/ultrasound findings associated with PEComas.

CT scan[edit | edit source]

• CT scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of PEComas. Findings on CT scan suggestive of PEComas include:

• • Hypodense (15-50 hours field units) partially solid and partially cystic tumor with moderate contrast uptake (in kidney).^[13]
  • Hypervascular tumor with delayed washout pattern in portal venous phase (in liver).^[14]
  • Mass with no other pathology (in uterus).^[12]

MRI[edit | edit source]

• There are no MRI findings associated with PEComas.

Other Imaging Findings[edit | edit source]

• There are no other imaging findings associated with PEComas.

Other Diagnostic Studies[edit | edit source]

• There are no other diagnostic studies associated with PEComas.

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Medical Therapy[edit | edit source]

• There is no established medical therapy for PEComas.
• Following chemotherapeutic and immunotherapeutic drugs have been tried with mixed results: ^[15][16][17]
  • Dacarbazine
  • Doxorubicin
  • Vincristine
  • Imatinib mesylate
  • Interferon alpha-b2

Surgery[edit | edit source]

• Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for PEComas, as well as for local recurrences and metastasis, with the aim of obtaining clear resection margins.^[18]

Primary Prevention[edit | edit source]

• There are no established measures for the primary prevention of PEComas.

Secondary Prevention[edit | edit source]

• There are no established measures for the secondary prevention of PEComas.

References[edit | edit source]

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