Clear cell sarcoma of the small bowel: a potential pitfall

• Published in: APMIS : acta pathologica, microbiologica et immunologica Scandinavica Vol. 113; no. 10; pp. 716 - 719
• Main Authors: VENKATARAMAN, GIRISH, QUINN, ADAM M., WILLIAMS, JONATHAN, HAMMADEH, RASHEED
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Munksgaard International Publishers 01.10.2005
• Subjects: Clear cell sarcoma; immunohistochemistry
• ISSN: 0903-4641; 1600-0463
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0463.2005.apm_243.x

Clear cell sarcoma (soft‐part melanoma) is a very rare entity with a distinctive histopathologic and molecular profile. Herein, we present the sixth reported case of a primary gastrointestinal clear cell sarcoma discovered in a 21‐year‐old woman. The patient underwent numerous tests prior to the diagnosis of her small bowel pathology, including the use of capsule endoscopy, which allowed for visualization and final localization of the tumour. Additionally, we discuss this rare type of sarcoma that affects young adults and has a poor prognosis characterized by the balanced chromosomal translocation t(12;22)(q13;q12) with special emphasis on the necessity for pathologists to be able to distinguish it from melanoma – potentially a major pitfall in diagnosis.