GLI1-altered mesenchymal tumor involving the parietal pleura: case report and literature review

GLI1-altered mesenchymal tumors represent a rare category of soft tissue tumors that have recently been incorporated into the classification of head and neck soft tissue tumors in the fifth edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) classification. However, their precise nature remains undefined...

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Main Authors: Yuanli Zhong, Baizhou Li, Gangping Wang, Yuqing Liu, Zhenwei Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-02-01
Series:Frontiers in Oncology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1484206/full
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author Yuanli Zhong
Baizhou Li
Gangping Wang
Yuqing Liu
Zhenwei Chen
author_facet Yuanli Zhong
Baizhou Li
Gangping Wang
Yuqing Liu
Zhenwei Chen
author_sort Yuanli Zhong
collection DOAJ
description GLI1-altered mesenchymal tumors represent a rare category of soft tissue tumors that have recently been incorporated into the classification of head and neck soft tissue tumors in the fifth edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) classification. However, their precise nature remains undefined, and they have yet to be assigned an ICD code. These tumors are predominantly located in the head and neck region and display distinctive pathological morphology and molecular characteristics. We present the first documented case of a GLI1-altered mesenchymal tumor occurring in the pleura. Microscopic examination revealed that the tumor was composed of ovoid-to-round and vaguely epithelioid cells, as well as a few spindle cells, all exhibiting a uniform morphology and organized in a nested and reticular arrangement, accompanied by a rich capillary network in the stroma. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated positivity for CD56, S-100, and SMA. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) revealed a PTCH1-GLI1 fusion. Based on the morphological and immunophenotypic characteristics, molecular studies confirmed the diagnosis of a GLI1-altered mesenchymal tumor. At the 15-month follow-up, the patient was alive. We conducted a review of all cases of recurrence and metastasis, concluding that this type of tumor has a distinct propensity to metastasize to the lungs. The tumor exhibits malignant potential, and factors such as its occurrence outside the head and neck region, high-grade histological morphology, active mitosis (>5/10HPF), necrosis and PTCH1-GLI1 fusion are all considered potential risk factors.
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spelling doaj-art-55d4f576247f4ce3b48db41146f84e062025-02-10T05:16:15ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Oncology2234-943X2025-02-011510.3389/fonc.2025.14842061484206GLI1-altered mesenchymal tumor involving the parietal pleura: case report and literature reviewYuanli ZhongBaizhou LiGangping WangYuqing LiuZhenwei ChenGLI1-altered mesenchymal tumors represent a rare category of soft tissue tumors that have recently been incorporated into the classification of head and neck soft tissue tumors in the fifth edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) classification. However, their precise nature remains undefined, and they have yet to be assigned an ICD code. These tumors are predominantly located in the head and neck region and display distinctive pathological morphology and molecular characteristics. We present the first documented case of a GLI1-altered mesenchymal tumor occurring in the pleura. Microscopic examination revealed that the tumor was composed of ovoid-to-round and vaguely epithelioid cells, as well as a few spindle cells, all exhibiting a uniform morphology and organized in a nested and reticular arrangement, accompanied by a rich capillary network in the stroma. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated positivity for CD56, S-100, and SMA. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) revealed a PTCH1-GLI1 fusion. Based on the morphological and immunophenotypic characteristics, molecular studies confirmed the diagnosis of a GLI1-altered mesenchymal tumor. At the 15-month follow-up, the patient was alive. We conducted a review of all cases of recurrence and metastasis, concluding that this type of tumor has a distinct propensity to metastasize to the lungs. The tumor exhibits malignant potential, and factors such as its occurrence outside the head and neck region, high-grade histological morphology, active mitosis (>5/10HPF), necrosis and PTCH1-GLI1 fusion are all considered potential risk factors.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1484206/fullGLI1mesenchymal tumorPTCH1-GLI1 fusionparietal pleuramalignant potentialrisk factors
spellingShingle Yuanli Zhong
Baizhou Li
Gangping Wang
Yuqing Liu
Zhenwei Chen
GLI1-altered mesenchymal tumor involving the parietal pleura: case report and literature review
Frontiers in Oncology
GLI1
mesenchymal tumor
PTCH1-GLI1 fusion
parietal pleura
malignant potential
risk factors
title GLI1-altered mesenchymal tumor involving the parietal pleura: case report and literature review
title_full GLI1-altered mesenchymal tumor involving the parietal pleura: case report and literature review
title_fullStr GLI1-altered mesenchymal tumor involving the parietal pleura: case report and literature review
title_full_unstemmed GLI1-altered mesenchymal tumor involving the parietal pleura: case report and literature review
title_short GLI1-altered mesenchymal tumor involving the parietal pleura: case report and literature review
title_sort gli1 altered mesenchymal tumor involving the parietal pleura case report and literature review
topic GLI1
mesenchymal tumor
PTCH1-GLI1 fusion
parietal pleura
malignant potential
risk factors
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1484206/full
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AT baizhouli gli1alteredmesenchymaltumorinvolvingtheparietalpleuracasereportandliteraturereview
AT gangpingwang gli1alteredmesenchymaltumorinvolvingtheparietalpleuracasereportandliteraturereview
AT yuqingliu gli1alteredmesenchymaltumorinvolvingtheparietalpleuracasereportandliteraturereview
AT zhenweichen gli1alteredmesenchymaltumorinvolvingtheparietalpleuracasereportandliteraturereview