Abstract
Background: Low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma is a rare neoplastic growth in the uterine cavity, representing
less than 1% of uterine tumors. Such tumors usually affect premenopausal and perimenopausal women, with a mean
age of 46 years. Treatment generally starts with surgical resection of the tumor, followed by chemotherapy, radio-
therapy, or hormonal therapy.
Case presentation: In the current report, we again present a case of low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma in a
51-year-old Mediterranean woman presenting with abdominopelvic pain. Computed tomography scan revealed a
primary uterine tumor measuring 17 × 9 × 9 cm metastasizing to the lungs, bladder, and ureteral orifice, along with
lymphovascular involvement. The patient underwent total abdominal hysterectomy, omentectomy, and lymph node
dissection. Estrogen deprivation was accomplished by bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Lifelong hormonal therapy
consisting of letrozole 2.5 mg per day was prescribed, which demonstrated remarkable efficacy, resulting in a partial
remission of lung metastasis within 8 months after surgery. Full remission was observed after 18 months of hormo-
nal therapy, with no recurrence. Another scan was performed after 2.5 years, revealing complete remission with no
recurrence.
Keywords
Endometrial stromal sarcoma, Case report, Hormonal therapy, Letrozole, Complete remission
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Background
Endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS) is a rare neoplastic
growth originating from the mesenchymal elements of
the endometrium [1]. It usually affects women between
the ages of 40 and 50 [2]. ESS are characterized by their
aggressiveness, poor prognosis, and high recurrence
rate [3]. Low-grade ESS is associated with better prog -
nosis than high-grade ESS, with higher survival rates
[4]. Histological features of ESS include a heavily packed
cellular population of oval, round, or spindle-like struc -
tures with small thick-walled blood vessels [5]. Several
immunohistochemical markers have been identified for
the diagnosis of ESS including vimentin, smooth muscle
actin (SMA), desmin, S-100, ionized calcium-binding
adaptor molecule 1 (IBA1), and CD10 [6]. The detection
of YWHAE-FAM22 translocation by molecular studies
augmented with immunohistochemistry can differentiate
between high- and low-grade ESS, and has replaced the
Open Access
*Correspondence:
[email protected]
1 Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan
University of Science and Technology, King Abdullah University Hospital,
P . O. Box: 3030, Irbid 22110, Jordan
Full list of author information is available at the end of the article
Page 2 of 6Altal et al. J Med Case Reports (2021) 15:262
use of mitotic indices as a differentiation parameter [7].
The prognostic factors of ESS are still controversial, and
mainly depend on the stage at the time of presentation
as assessed by the International Federation of Gynecol -
ogy and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging of ESS [8]. Treatment
typically starts with surgical removal of the tumor, and
adjuvant methods including chemotherapy, radiotherapy,
and hormonal therapy can be utilized [8]. In the current
report, we describe the complete remission of metasta -
sized low-grade ESS after surgical removal of the neo -
plasm followed by hormonal therapy. To the best of our
knowledge, few cases have been reported of complete
remission of advanced metastasized low-grade ESS after
surgical and hormonal therapy alone, without the need
for chemotherapy or radiotherapy. This case report was
written in accordance with the CARE guidelines for case
reports [9].
Case presentation
A 51-year-old married Mediterranean woman with a
nonsignificant past medical history presented to our
center through the outpatient clinic, complaining of
menorrhagia and abdominal pain for the past 2 weeks.
The pain was radiating to the back and was associated
with loss of appetite and stress incontinence. The patient
reported no episodes of dysmenorrhea. She had no
remarkable surgical history prior to her current symp -
toms and no family history of malignancies. The physical
examination revealed no significant findings. Ultrasonog-
raphy revealed multiple uterine masses and polyps along
with an enlarged uterus and thin endometrial lining.
Basic laboratory investigations were performed and
all were within the normal range except for complete
blood count, which indicated microcytic hypochromic
anemia. She was suspected of having uterine fibroids.
Accordingly, hysteroscopy along with dilation and curet -
tage (D&C) was performed. Operative findings included
a 22-week-sized uterus that was deviated to the left side.
In addition, cystocele and rectocele were noted, both
assessed as grade II. Hysteroscopy findings included
multiple uterine fibroids and polyps. Endometrial biopsy
revealed infarcted endometrial polyps. Plasma tumor
markers were evaluated to rule out any possible malig -
nancies. Results indicated high levels of lactate dehydro -
genase (LDH: 441 U/L), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP: 1.9 ng/
mL), and CA-125 (106.8 U/mL), along with normal val -
ues for beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG),
cancer antigen (CA) 15-3, CA 19-9, and carcinoembry -
onic antigen (CEA). Abdominal and pelvic computed
tomography (CT) scan showed an irregular hypodense
lesion in the uterus containing an area of necrosis meas -
uring 17 × 9 × 9 cm, suggesting a primary uterine tumor
(Fig. 1a–c). CT scan also revealed wall thickening in the
right posterolateral aspect of the urinary bladder, with
filling defect and wall irregularity causing severe hydro -
nephrosis on the right side (Fig. 1b). Enlarged lymph
nodes were seen in both the external and internal iliac
regions, the largest measuring 1.3 cm.
Ultrasonography-guided biopsy under aseptic condi -
tions with the application of local anesthetic was used
to take six true-cut biopsies for the same mass seen on
the CT scan. Histopathological examination showed a
hypercellular spindle cell lesion, with some of the cells
having nuclei resembling those of smooth muscle origin
(Fig. 2a–c). Mild cellular pleomorphism along with non -
significant count of mitotic figures was observed. Thick-
walled spindly blood vessels were seen in the background.
Immunohistochemical studies revealed that the spindle
cell population was positive for CD10, SMA, and estro -
gen receptor (ER) but negative for CD34, CD117, epithe -
lial membrane antigen (EMA), and desmin, as shown in
Fig. 2d–f. A diagnosis of low-grade ESS was established.
Subsequently, right double-J (DJ) stent insertion was
performed. The operative findings included a mass
around the right ureteral orifice with multiple varicosi -
ties and neovascularization around and in the bladder,
Fig. 1 Transverse (a), sagittal (b), and coronal (c) computed tomography scans showing a primary uterine mass as pointed by the white arrow
Page 3 of 6
Altal et al. J Med Case Reports (2021) 15:262
respectively. Microscopic examination of bladder biopsy
showed fragments of urothelial mucosa infiltrated by
nodules of small monotonous round cell tumor. The
tumor cells were immunoreactive against CD10 and ER
but negative for keratin 20 (CK20), CD34, cyclin D1,
and SMA. The results were consistent with the diagno -
sis of ESS. Chest CT scan showed a left lower lobe nod -
ule peripherally mostly representing a malignant deposit
(Fig. 3a). Pulmonary embolism (PE) in the secondary
and tertiary branches of the right pulmonary artery was
observed incidentally, with elevated D-dimer (4.1 μg/
mL) and fibrinogen (598 mg/dL). In addition, CT angio -
gram confirmed the diagnosis of acute PE. The patient
started therapeutic doses of enoxaparin (100 mg, every
12 hours), after which she underwent staging laparotomy.
Operative findings included uterus (22 weeks in size)
with tumor invading the right fallopian tube and adher -
ent to the right pelvic side wall and the right side of the
bladder wall. Total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) and
bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO), omentectomy,
and lymph node dissection were performed. Biopsies
were taken from the uterus, both ovaries, both fallopian
tubes, omentum, and right external iliac lymph node,
which all confirmed the diagnosis of low-grade ESS with
lymphovascular invasion.
Hormonal therapy with letrozole 2.5 mg daily was ini -
tiated. The patient was then discharged with a 10-day
Fig. 2 Histopathological investigations of six true-cut biopsies for the same mass seen on computed tomography scan. Hematoxylin and eosin
(H&E) stains for different samples (a–c) illustrating hypercellular spindle cell lesions, with the nuclei of some cells resembling those of smooth
muscle origin, with mild cellular pleomorphism and nonsignificant count of mitotic figures. The cellular population was positive for CD10 (d),
smooth muscle actin (e), and estrogen receptor (f)
Fig. 3 Transverse computed tomography image showing lung
metastasis as pointed by the black arrow (a). Partial remission of the
metastasized tumor was achieved after 8 months of letrozole 2.5 mg
per day (b). Complete remission was observed after 18 months (c)
and 2.5 years (d) with the same therapeutic regimen
Page 4 of 6Altal et al. J Med Case Reports (2021) 15:262
course of clindamycin and lifelong enoxaparin treatment.
She was followed up in the outpatient clinic with right
DJ stent exchange every 3 months. Partial remission of
lung metastasis was achieved after 8 months of hormo -
nal therapy, which was confirmed by a clean CT image
(Fig. 3b). After 18 months, another chest CT was con -
ducted and revealed complete resolution of the metasta -
sis (Fig. 3c). Another chest and abdominopelvic CT scan
were performed after 2.5 years form the surgery, which
also confirmed the full remission of ESS as shown in
Fig. 3d for the lung metastasis and Fig. 4a, b for the pri -
mary lesion.
Discussion
ESS is an extremely rare uterine malignancy, constituting
0.2% of all genital tract neoplasms, with an incidence of 2
per million women worldwide [10]. Such uterine tumors
are aggressive in nature and associated with poor prog -
nosis and high rates of recurrence, and can affect women
of both reproductive and postmenopausal age [3].
According to the World Health Organization (WHO),
ESS is categorized into low- and high-grade ESS along
with nodular and undifferentiated forms of the neo -
plasm; the classification is based on the morphology and
the prognosis of the tumor as well as cellular cytogenetic
properties [7].
Clinical presentation of ESS varies according to the
affected area, but patients commonly complain of
abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, vomiting, diarrhea,
constipation, hematuria, and increased urinary frequency
and urgency with incontinence [11]. The pathogenesis
of ESS includes gene rearrangement, loss of tumor sup -
pressor genes, microsatellite instability, and loss of het -
erozygosity [12]. Some reports suggest that prolonged
exposure to endogenous or exogenous estrogens along
with tamoxifen treatment can play an important role in
the development of the tumor [13, 14].
Treatment for ESS starts with surgical removal of the
neoplasm and the associated invaded tissues [8]. Since
the histopathological profile suggests a nonsignificant
count of mitotic figures, the neoplasm will respond
poorly to chemotherapeutic agents [15]. However,
responsiveness to chemotherapy was described previ -
ously in a reported case suggesting total remission of
ESS following a combination of chemotherapeutic agents
[16]. On the other hand, some studies suggest a beneficial
outcome for radiotherapy against high-grade ESS, while
others report a nonsignificant effect against low- or high-
grade forms of ESS [15, 17]. ESS can express estrogen
receptor (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR), which
can be effectively used as a target to suppress the growth
of the neoplasm [18]. The suggested protocol is treatment
with aromatase inhibitors with or without gonadotropin-
releasing hormone (GnRH) if the cellular population is
ER-positive; if the tumor is positive for both ER and PR,
progestins can be used [19]. GnRH is used without any
combination if the tumor is positive only for PR [19].
Estrogen deprivation after BSO can be very useful, espe -
cially for metastasized ESS [20]. Hormonal therapy has
proved to be an effective tool against ESS, with improved
long-term survival [21, 22]. Several chemotherapeutic
regimens have been introduced for the treatment of ESS
including carboplatin or gemcitabine plus docetaxel [23,
24]. In addition, pazopanib, a selective multi-targeted
receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has been shown to be
an efficient agent for ESS [25–27].
Our patient complained of abdominal pain and menor -
rhagia, which are typical presentations for ESS, and since
she was in her early 50s, she was prone to such neoplas -
tic growth [2]. What is unique about our case is that the
patient experienced a full neoplastic remission after a
combination of surgical removal of the tumor and hor -
monal therapy including estrogen deprivation by BSO and
a course of letrozole as previously described. Despite ESS
aggressiveness and the extensive metastatic spread across
the bladder, ureteral orifice, and lung with lymphovascular
involvement, full remission was observed 18 weeks after
surgery, which was confirmed by a clear CT scan. Several
cases reports have demonstrated the importance of hor -
monal therapy in the management of ESS. Alkasi et al.
reported long-term survival of a 28-year-old patient with
metastatic ESS treated with goserelin and anastrozole after
surgical intervention [28]. A similar report by Spano et al.
described total response in two women with ESS and lung
metastasis after surgical removal of the tumor followed by
treatment with aminoglutethimide, an aromatase inhibi -
tor [21]. Leunen et al. described outstanding response to
letrozole in a 76-year-old patient with a huge pelvic mass
accompanied by post-renal kidney failure [29]. Hormonal
therapy has also proved effective in the case of neoplastic
Fig. 4 Transverse (a) and coronal (b) computed tomography images
showing full neoplastic remission after 18 months of letrozole 2.5 mg
per day without any evidence of a primary uterine tumor marked by
the dashed circle
Page 5 of 6
Altal et al. J Med Case Reports (2021) 15:262
recurrence, where Shoji et al. reported that anastrozole
improved prognosis in a case of recurrent low-grade ESS
in a 34-year-old woman [30]. Hormonal therapy has also
been used to shrink the tumor before surgical resection,
as reported in the case of a 47-year-old woman with low-
grade ESS [31]. Despite complete remission of ESS, such
tumors carry a high risk of recurrence even after two dec-
ades of treatment, as reported by Gangireddy et al., which
highlights the importance of regular follow-ups [32].
We report yet another case of complete neoplastic
remission of low-grade ESS with extensive metastasis to
the lungs, bladder, and ureter along with lymphovascular
involvement after surgical and hormonal therapy, in hopes
of expanding the knowledge about such rare neoplasms.
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank Khawla Mhedat for her valuable help in obtaining
the histopathological images. In addition, the authors wish to thank Yazan O.
Al Zu’bi for his help during the preparation of this manuscript.
Authors’ contributions
OFA, OMH, and AA were responsible for the treatment and care of the patient
including diagnostics. AHA, NT, SS, and MA wrote the manuscript. All authors
revised the final version of the report. All authors read and approved the final
manuscript.
Funding
No funding.
Availability of data and materials
Not applicable.
Declarations
Ethics approval and consent to participate
Ethical approval for case reports is waived by the institutional review board
(IRB) in the King Abdullah University Hospital (KAUH). Consent to participate is
not applicable.
Consent for publication
Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of
this case report and any accompanying images. A copy of the written consent
is available for review by the Editor-in-Chief of this journal.
Competing interests
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Author details
1 Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan Univer-
sity of Science and Technology, King Abdullah University Hospital, P . O. Box:
3030, Irbid 22110, Jordan. 2 Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science &
Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan. 3 Department of General Surgery and Urology,
Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science & Technology, Irbid 22110,
Jordan. 4 Intern, King Abdullah University Hospital, Jordan University of Sci-
ence & Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan. 5 Department of Physiology, Faculty
of Medicine, Jordan University of Science & Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
Received: 20 March 2020 Accepted: 29 March 2021
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