Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2008; 56(5): 308-310
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-989342
Case Reports

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Askin's Tumor: A Rare Chest Wall Neoplasm. Case Report and Short Review

S. Katsenos1 , M. Nikopoloulou1 , I. Kokkonouzis1 , S. Archondakis2
  • 1Department of Pneumonology, Army General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece
  • 2Department of Pathology, Army General Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece
Weitere Informationen

Publikationsverlauf

Received July 6, 2007

Publikationsdatum:
09. Juli 2008 (online)

Introduction

Askin's tumor is an uncommon, malignant, small round cell tumor which belongs to the Ewing's sarcoma family of tumors (ESFT) [[1]]. More specifically, it is a peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) located exclusively in the thoracopulmonary region, which was first described in childhood by Askin et al. in 1979 [[2]]. The prognosis is usually dismal with extremely low 6-year survival rates [[3]]. However, very few cases have been reported with good long-term survival rates [[1], [4]]. We present here a patient with an Askin's tumor, who was treated satisfactorily with aggressive multimodal treatment. The patient has not suffered any recurrence at the time when this report was written. This is the first, well documented case of Askin's tumor in Greece. Especial emphasis is placed on the immunohistological features and the currently established therapeutic regimen for this rare entity.

References

  • 1 Christiansen S, Semik M, Dockhorn-Dworniczak B. et al . Diagnosis, treatment and outcome of patients with Askin tumors.  Thorac Cardiov Surg. 2000;  48 311-315
  • 2 Askin F B, Rosai J, Sibley R K, Dehner L P, McAllister W H. Malignant small cell tumor of the thoracopulmonary region in childhood: a distinctive clinico-pathologic entity of uncertain histogenesis.  Cancer. 1979;  43 2438-2451
  • 3 Contesso G, Llombart-Bosch A, Terrier P. et al . Does malignant small round cell tumor of the thoracopulmonary region (Askin tumor) constitute a clinicopathologic entity? An analysis of 30 cases with immunohistochemical and electron-microscopic support treated at the Institute Gustave Roussy.  Cancer. 1992;  69 1012-1020
  • 4 Nakajima Y, Koizumi K, Hirata T. et al . Long-term survival of Askin tumor for 10 years with 2 relapses.  Ann Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2006;  12 137-140
  • 5 Sallustio G, Pirronti T, Lasorella A, Natale L, Bray A, Marano P. Diagnostic imaging of primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the chest wall (Askin tumour).  Pediatr Radiol. 1998;  28 697-702
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Dr. Stamatis Katsenos

Department of Pneumonology
Army General Hospital of Athens

3, Ierarhou Panaretou St.

45445 Ioannina

Greece

Telefon: + 30 26 51 03 52 87

Fax: + 30 26 51 02 94 32

eMail: skatsenos@yahoo.gr