The Internet Journal of Pathology 2007 : Volume 6 Number 1

Extraskeletal Myxoid Chondrosarcoma Of

Oropharynx
Edgar A. Sotomayor M.D.
Department of Pathology
Creighton University Medical Center
Omaha Nebraska USA

Deba P. Sarma M.D.

Department of Pathology
Creighton University Medical Center
Omaha Nebraska USA

Shu-Yuan Xiao M.D.

Department of Pathology
University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
Texas USA

Citation: E. A. Sotomayor, D. P. Sarma & S. Xiao : Extraskeletal Myxoid Chondrosarcoma Of Oropharynx . The Internet Journal of

Pathology. 2 0 0 7 Volume 6 Number 1

Keywords: Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma | rare tumor of oropharynx | unusual tonsillar mass

Abstract
Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma is a rare soft tissue neoplasm. We report such a tumor in an 80-year-old man,
who presented with a 10-cm right tonsillar mass. Histologic examination of the tumor revealed an infiltrative growth
pattern, focal hypercellularity, frequent mitosis, and areas of necrosis, in addition to features commonly seen in typical
cases of extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma.

Introduction
Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma (EMC) is rare, with an estimated incidence of 2.3% among all soft tissue
sarcomas.1 It has characteristic ultrastructural, molecular and cytogenetic features, although morphology on routine
hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) stained sections is not always specific for a definitive diagnosis. Most of the tumors occur in
the soft tissue of the extremities, especially thigh and popliteal fossa.2 Occurrences in synovium,3 pleura,4 maxillary
sinus,5 epiglottis,6 soft tissue of the chin,7 and retroperitoneum8 have been reported . Most of these tumors are
deeply seated, but occasional tumors are confined to the subcutis. Histologically, these tumors exhibit a broad
spectrum of morphologic features, which make distinction from other neoplasms difficult,9 particularly when the
tumor occurs at an unusual anatomic location.
In this report, we describe a case of extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma of the oropharynx, in an 80-year-old man.
Unlike typical EMC, this tumor had focally increased cellularity, necrosis, and increased mitoses.

Report of a case
An 80-year-old black man, with a history of prostatic adenocarcinoma (stage IV, Gleason's score 8) diagnosed 6
months before, presented to the Otolaryngology Clinic with one-month history of sore throat, dysphagia, and a 10-
pound weight loss. He was referred following treatment for tonsillitis. His past medical history was significant for
hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, peptic ulcer disease, and asbestos exposure. He had a 20-year-
history of smoking (2 packs a day), but quit 30 years before. He received hormonal treatment for his prostate cancer.

Physical examination was remarkable for cachexia. A smooth, round, firm, submucosal mass replaced the right tonsil
and caused the soft palate to bulge anteriorly. There was no cervical lymphadenopathy. MRI with Gadolinium contrast
of the orbit, face, and neck revealed a large, multinodular, heterogeneous, enhancing right-sided mass that extended
laterally from the pharyngeal mucosa to the parotid space, anteriorly into the base of the tongue and right posterior
nasopharynx, and medially into the left posterior pharyngeal mucosal space. The mass measured 6 cm in antero-
posterior dimension, 6 cm in transverse dimension, and 10 cm in superior-inferior dimension (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Axial MRI STIR image (heavily T2-weighted image with fat suppression). The mass is seen involving the
right base of tongue and tonsil.

The patient underwent examination under anesthesia, which revealed a large submucosal mass involving the right
tonsil and extending laterally and deep to involve the pharyngeal wall. An incisional biopsy was performed. Over the
following 14 days, he experienced progressive dysphagia, dysarthria and respiratory compromise leading to death. An
autopsy was not performed.

Materials and methods

Histopathology. Hematoxylin and eosin stained sections were prepared from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded
biopsy tissue. Colloidal Iron and Alcian blue stains with and without hyaluronidase were performed on the tumor
sections to detect the presence of chondroitin sulfates.

Immunohistochemical stains. Four-µm tissue sections were stained by using an automated stainer (Dako, Capinteria,
CA) after standard deparaffinization and dehydration. A standard avidin-biotin complex technique with
diaminobenzidine as the chromogen was used. Commercially acquired monoclonal antibodies against pan-cytokeratin
AE1/3 (Signet, Dedham, MA), CK20, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), alpha-smooth muscle actin, S-100 protein,
glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), vimentin, desmin, neuron specific enolase (NSE), CD68, CD20, CD45, CD3 and
myosin (Dako corporation, Carpinteria, CA) were used as primary antibodies, using our standard laboratory protocols
routinely employed for surgical pathology diagnostics.

Electron microscopy. Tumor tissue was fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde, postfixed in osmium tetroxide, and embedded
in epoxy resin for ultrastructural studies. Ultra-thin sections were stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate and
were evaluated using a Philips CM-100 (Mahwah, NJ) electron microscope.

Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Total RNA was extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded
(PFPE) tissue block. Detection for type 1 and type 2 transcripts of the EWS-CHN fusion protein were performed by
RT-PCR, as previously described,1 0 at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

Results
The incisional biopsy specimen consisted of multiple irregular fragments of soft tissue with areas of hemorrhage,
measuring 7 x 6.5 x 2 cm in aggregate. Areas of mucoid appearance were also noted grossly. Microscopically, a
multilobular, infiltrative tumor consisted of short cords or sheets of epithelioid cells situated in an abundant myxoid
background (Figure 2A). The tumor invaded tonsillar tissue and the pharyngeal mucosa. Incomplete fibrous septae
separated some of the lobules. Many tumor cells had moderately abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, resembling
rhabdoid cells (Figure 2A). In other areas, tumor cells had clear cytoplasm and were embedded in fibrillar eosinophilic
matrix, suggesting chondroid differentiation (Figure 2B). The nuclei were round to oval, pleomorphic, hyperchromatic,
and eccentrically located. Nucleoli were inconspicuous. There were frequent mitotic figures. Histochemically, the
myxoid stroma stained deeply with colloidal iron (Figure 2C) and Alcian blue, which were not inhibited by pre-
treatment with hyaluronidase. Foci of necrosis were noted.

Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells stained positive for vimentin (Figure 2D). However, stains for other markers,
including cytokeratin (AE1/3, CK 20), S100 protein, GFAP, EMA, desmin, alpha-SMA, myosin, CD20, CD3, CD45 and
CD68, were all negative, all with appropriate positive control.

Figure 2: Photomicrographs of the tumor. A. H&E stain. Epithelioid cells with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm and
eccentrically located nuclei, forming cords or loose sheets (X100). B. H&E stain. Chondroid area. (X100). C. Colloidal
Iron staining showing blue myxoid matrix (X50). D. Immunostaining for vimentin (X50).
Representative areas of the tumor were selected for electron microscopy by examining the thin sections.
Ultrastructurally, single or strands of tumor cells were in a fine matrix, which contained scattered collagen fibers
(Figure 3A). The tumor cells were loosely arranged singly, in pairs, and in short cords. The cytoplasmic membranes
were irregular in outline, some with a scalloping appearance. Occasionally, there were incomplete cell junctions
between cell membranes, including macular or desmosome-like interface attachments without tonofilaments.
However, well-formed tight junctions or desmosomes were not identified. Most of the cells had abundant cytoplasm,
with an eccentrically located nucleus, which was often indented and contained evenly distributed chromatin (Figure
3A, 3B). There were no prominent nucleoli. The cytoplasm contained well-developed rough endoplasmic reticulin with
many dilated cisternae, abundant mitochondria, and prominent Golgi apparatus. In addition, there were glycogen
granules and lipid droplets in many cells. The EM findings were consistent with epithelioid chondrocytes, supporting
the histologic diagnosis of chondrosarcoma.
Figure 3: Electron microphotograph of the tumor. A. Individual tumor cells in a loose matrix containing occasional
collagen fibers (x8,113). B. Tumor cells contain eccentrically located nuclei that shown indentation, and cytoplasm
containing abundant organelle and lipid (x8,113).

Total RNA was extracted from tissue retrieved from the formalin-fixed, paraffin-imbedded block. Adequate amount
of RNA was obtained. However, RT-PCR did not result in the amplification of either type 1 or type 2 transcript of the
EWS-CHN fusion gene.

The case was reviewed by the pathologists from the Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and the Soft Tissue Pathology
sections of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, DC. They considered myoepithelial carcinoma and
extraekeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma as the principal entities in their differential diagnosis and agreed with our
diagnosis of extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma.

Discussion
Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcomas are considered low-grade sarcomas, characterized by a protracted clinical
course. The estimated 10-year survival is 70%, with 48% local recurrence and 46% metastases.1 1Meis et al,1 1in their
review of 117 EMCs, concluded that clinical features such as tumor size, tumor site, patient age and metastases, rather
than histological features, are significant predictors of survival. It was suggested that high-grade histologic features,
such as necrosis, increased cellularity, high mitotic rate, pleomorphism, epithelioid or rhabdoid cells, and spindled foci,
do not affect prognosis. All of their cases were tumors arising in limb girdle, limbs or trunk. Our patient presented at
an advanced age (80 years), with a large tumor (10 cm) in an unusual location.

Many of the H&E-stained histologic features in this case are not specific for the diagnosis of an EMC. In fact, the
diagnosis of myoepithelial carcinoma was considered initially, because of the extensive myxoid component and ovoid
eosinophilic cells. However, myoepithelial carcinoma was excluded because this tumor usually expresses
immunoreactivity for cytokeratin, S-100 protein, smooth muscle actin, and GFAP in addition to Vimentin.1 3The
abundant myxoid stroma stained strongly with colloidal iron and hyaluronidase-resistant alcian blue, indicating the
presence of chondroitin sulfates. Among soft-tissue sarcomas with prominent myxoid stroma, EMC emerged as a
strong possibility. However, EMC has been reported to focally express weak S-100 protein and NSE, which were
negative in our case.

A non-random reciprocal translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22, t(9;22) (q22-31; q11-12), has been described
in EMCs, resulting in fusion of the EWS gene to CHN (a member of the steroid/thyroid receptor gene superfamily)
gene.1 0although this translocation appears specific for this tumor, it is not seen in all cases. RT-PCR for this
translocation was performed on our case, but with a negative result. Another related cytogenetic abnormality has been
described recently, t(9;17)(q22;q11.2)1 4, in a minority of EMCs. This later translocation results in the fusion of the
entire coding region of CHN to the N-terminal transactivation domain of RBP56/h TAFII68, a protein with sequence
homology to both EWS and TLS/FUS.1 5,1 6,1 7 We did not test for this translocation in our case.

Corresponding author
Deba P Sarma,MD
Creighton University Medical Center
Department of Pathology
601 North 30th Street
Omaha, NE 68131
Tel. 402-449-4951
Email: [dpsarma@creighton.edu]

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