Metastatic sarcomas to pleural effusion: a 10-year large tertiary care center experience with emphasis on clinical features and cytomorphologic characteristics.

INTRODUCTION

Metastatic sarcomas to pleural effusion are extremely rare, accounting for <1% of all malignant pleural effusions. We aim to present our experience with pleural effusion specimens containing metastatic sarcomas over a 10-year period.

METHODS

We performed a 10-year retrospective search of cytopathology archives to identify all pleural effusions that were involved by metastatic sarcoma. All available cytopathology and surgical pathology specimens were retrieved and reviewed.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight pleural fluids from 22 patients with metastatic sarcoma were identified in our search. The patients' ages ranged from 12 to 73 years. The pleural fluid volumes ranged from 10 to 1500 ml. Rhabdomyosarcoma was the most commonly encountered metastatic sarcoma to pleural effusion (n = 7). Other metastatic sarcomas were as follows: epithelioid angiosarcoma (n = 4), Ewing sarcoma (n = 3), clear cell sarcoma (n = 2), high grade conventional osteosarcoma (n = 2), undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (n = 1), epithelioid sarcoma, proximal type (n = 1), dedifferentiated liposarcoma (n = 1), and conventional chondrosarcoma (n = 1). The time between initial diagnosis and effusion varied from 3 months to 25 years. Two patients are alive with disease at 6 and 21 months of follow-up. All other patients were dead of disease and the survival after a malignant pleural effusion ranged from <1 month to 18 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Metastatic bone and soft tissue sarcomas to pleural effusions are rare and their cytologic features can be mistaken for carcinoma, melanoma, or mesothelioma. Careful review of the patient's medical history, comparison of the previous pathology and the use of ancillary studies are crucial for the evaluation of pleural effusions involved by metastatic sarcomas.