Epithelioid hemangioendotheliomas of the liver and lung in children and adolescents

Simone Hettmer, Geoffroy Andrieux, Jochen Hochrein, Philipp Kurz, Jochen Rössler, Silke Lassmann, Martin Werner, Nikolas von Bubnoff, Christoph Peters, Ewa Koscielniak, Monika Sparber-Sauer, Charlotte Niemeyer, Thomas Mentzel, Hauke Busch, Melanie Boerries

Abstract

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is a rare, vascular sarcoma. Visceral forms arise in the liver/ lungs. We review the clinical and molecular phenotype of pediatric visceral EHE based on the case of a 9-year-old male child with EHE of the liver/lungs. His tumor expressed the EHE-specific fusion oncogene WWTR1-CAMTA1. Molecular characterization revealed a low somatic mutation rate and activated interferon signaling, angiogenesis regulation, and blood vessel remodeling. After polychemotherapy and resection of lung tumors, residual disease remained stable on oral lenalidomide. Literature review identified another 24 children with EHE of the liver/lungs. Most presented with multifocal, systemic disease. Only those who underwent complete resection achieved complete remission. Four children experienced rapid progression and died. In six children, disease remained stable for years without therapy. Two patients died from progressive EHE 21 and 24 years after first diagnosis. Natural evolution of pediatric visceral EHE is variable, and long-term prognosis remains unclear.

Original languageEnglish
JournalPediatric blood & cancer
Volume64
Issue number12
ISSN1545-5009
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017

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