Immunohistochemical Analysis of CD99 and PAX8 in a Series of 15 Molecularly Confirmed Cases of Ewing Sarcoma

Abstract

Ewing sarcomas are an uncommon group of malignant neoplasms. A multidisciplinary approach is highly recommended to reach a correct diagnosis, considering the clinical, radiological, and histopathological aspects. Since in up to 90% of cases, the translocation t (11; 22) (q24; q12) occurs resulting in a chimeric fusion transcript EWSR1-FLI-1. The pathologist has several tools in addition to conventional techniques (hematoxylin and eosin), such as immunohistochemistry, which plays a very important role in the differential diagnosis. We present a series of 15 cases of molecularly confirmed ES, in which we found a sensitivity of 100% for CD99 and 80% for PAX8 by immunohistochemistry. This indicates a high sensitivity; however, it is known that both CD99 and PAX8 are also expressed in other tumours. Therefore, molecular confirmation should be performed in all cases.