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Allergy & Immunology71 papers

Epithelioid sarcoma

Last edited: 4/15/2026

Overview

Epithelioid sarcoma is a rare soft tissue sarcoma characterized by epithelioid morphology and multidirectional differentiation, often affecting young adults, particularly in distal extremities 2. It can mimic other conditions clinically, such as sporotrichosis 3.

Diagnosis

  • Histological Features: Firm, nontender tumors involving dermis, subcutis, or deeper soft tissues, often with multinucleated giant cells 12.
  • Immunohistochemistry: Positive for vimentin, cytokeratin, EMA, HMFG-2; often positive for NSE and S-100 protein 1.
  • Prognostic Indicators: Proximal location, larger size, deeper invasion, hemorrhage, necrosis, mitotic activity, and vascular invasion indicate a more aggressive course 2.
  • Management

  • Primary Treatment: Radical excision or amputation 2.
  • Adjunctive Therapy: High-dose radiotherapy to the excision site may be beneficial 2.
  • Special Populations

  • Pediatrics: Accounts for 1.4% of pediatric soft tissue sarcomas, with cases predominantly in the pelvis, head and neck, and hand; outcomes can be favorable with disease-free survival in some cases 1.
  • Key Recommendations

  • Radical excision or amputation is recommended for definitive treatment of epithelioid sarcoma (Evidence: Strong 2).
  • High-dose radiotherapy should be considered as adjunctive therapy following surgical resection to reduce recurrence rates (Evidence: Moderate 2).
  • Prognosis may be better in younger patients and those with tumors located in distal extremities (Evidence: Moderate 2).
  • References

    1 Schmidt D, Harms D. Epithelioid sarcoma in children and adolescents. An immunohistochemical study. Virchows Archiv. A, Pathological anatomy and histopathology 1987. link 2 Chase DR, Enzinger FM. Epithelioid sarcoma. Diagnosis, prognostic indicators, and treatment. The American journal of surgical pathology 1985. link 3 Ratnam AV, Naik KG. Epithelioid sarcoma--a case report. The British journal of dermatology 1978. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
      Epithelioid sarcoma in children and adolescents. An immunohistochemical study.Schmidt D, Harms D Virchows Archiv. A, Pathological anatomy and histopathology (1987)
    2. [2]
      Epithelioid sarcoma. Diagnosis, prognostic indicators, and treatment.Chase DR, Enzinger FM The American journal of surgical pathology (1985)
    3. [3]
      Epithelioid sarcoma--a case report.Ratnam AV, Naik KG The British journal of dermatology (1978)

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