A primary vertebral epithelioid osteosarcoma in middle age adult

Abstract

Primary vertebral epithelioid osteosarcoma is an extremely rare malignancy, characterized by predominant epithelioid cells and occurs mainly in adolescents and young adults. To our knowledge, only one previous report described a lumbar vertebral epithelioid osteosarcoma including the clinical information, pathologic features and immunohistochemical profile. This report is a first case of primary epithelioid osteosarcoma arising in the eighth thoracic vertebrae (T8) in middle aged man. Whole body scans as well as histological and immunohistochemical examinations were performed for excluding the possibility of metastatic malignancy or secondary osteosarcoma. Metastatic lesions showing the same morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics were demonstrated at the fifth lumbar vertebra (L5) and sternum were described 1 year after excision and high dose of Methotraxate (MTX) chemotherapy.