Diagnostics and Treatment of Extrameningeal Solitary Fibrous Tumors

Abstract

Solitary fibrous tumors (SFT) are rare mesenchymal neoplasms that account for less than 2% of all soft tissue masses. In the latest WHO 2020 Classification of Soft Tissue Tumors, extrameningeal SFT was listed as intermediate (rarely metastasizing) or malignant neoplasms. Due to the lack of characteristic clinical features, their diagnosis and treatment remain challenging. The pathogenesis of SFT is often associated with the presence of fusions of the NAB2-STAT6 gene on the 12q13 chromosome. Cytoplasmic CD34 positive staining is considerably characteristic for most SFTs; less frequently, factor XII, vimentin, bcl-2, and CD99 are present. A key factor in the diagnosis is the prevalent nuclear location of STAT6 expression. Radical resection is the mainstay of localized SFTs. In the case of unresectable disease, only radiotherapy or radio-chemotherapy may significantly ensure long-term local control of primary and metastatic lesions. To date, no practical guidelines have been published for the treatment of advanced or metastatic disease. Classical anthracycline-based chemotherapy is applicable. The latest studies suggest that antiangiogenic therapies should be considered after first-line treatment. Other drugs, such as imatinib, figitumumab, axitinib, and eribulin, are also being tested. Definitive radiotherapy appears to be a promising therapeutic modality. Since standards for the treatment of advanced and metastatic diseases are not available, further investigation of novel agents is necessary.

Keywords

• extrameningeal solitary fibrous tumor
• EM-SFT
• therapeutic strategies
• soft tissue sarcoma
• risk stratification
• sarcoma