[Soft tissue clear cell sarcomas. Reevaluation of clear cell sarcomas of the tendons and the aponeuroses in 14 cases].

A retrospective study is realized including 14 cases of clear cell sarcomas of tendons and aponeuroses, found in the files of Institut Gustave-Roussy (1969-1983). The main microscopic features are emphasized. In comparison with other soft tissue sarcomas, clear cell sarcomas are clinically characterized by a great frequency of local lymph node metastases (4 of 14 cases). The prognosis is usually particularly poor. The exact histogenesis remains obscure, but the results of special stains, support origin from migrated neural crest cells: melanin is visualized in 2 out of 12 tumors in which Fontana-Masson is performed. S 100 protein, a neuroectodermal marker, is positive by immunoperoxidase technique (PAP) in 6 of 10 tested cases. A better diagnostic approach is allowed with the help of ultrastructural study performed in 3 cases. These tumors must be separated from synovialosarcomas. Because the histogenesis is not actually sure, it is preferable to call them "soft tissue clear cell sarcomas".