Uterine tumors with sex cord-like elements: a clinicopathologic study of 19 cases

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BACKGROUND: Uterine tumors resembling ovarian sex cord tumors (UTROSCTs) are rare uterine tumors predominantly made up of sex cord-like elements. However, sex cord-like elements are also concomitant components in a variety of non-UTROSCTs, and the differences between these two types of sex cord-like elements have not yet been elucidated. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to elucidate the clinicopathological features of UTROSCTs and non-UTROSCTs. METHODS: Nine UTROSCTs, seven low-grade endometrial stromal sarcomas, two adenosarcomas (AS), and one corded and hyalinized endometrioid carcinoma were retrospectively analyzed. Immunohistochemical expression of calretinin, α-inhibin, CD56, Melan A, CD99, and steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1) was analyzed in the sex cord-like elements of these tumors. RESULTS: Calretinin, Melan A, and SF-1 were exclusively positive in UTROSCTs and AS, and the immunohistochemical profiles of the sex cord-like elements between these two tumors were most similar. Calretinin was the most specific marker for distinguishing between UTROSCTs and non-UTROSCTs. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings revealed the immunohistochemical features of sex cord-like elements in primary uterine tumors and indicated their potential significance in the differential diagnosis of UTROSCTs and non-UTROSCTs.