Perivascular epithelioid cell tumour

PEComa
Histopathologic image of renal angiomyolipoma. Nephrectomy specimen. H&E stain.
SpecialtyOncology Edit this on Wikidata

Perivascular epithelioid cell tumour, also known as PEComa or PEC tumour, is a family of mesenchymal tumours consisting of perivascular epithelioid cells (PECs).[1] These are rare tumours that can occur in any part of the human body.

The cell type from which these tumours originate remains unknown. Normally, no perivascular epitheloid cells exist; the name refers to the characteristics of the tumour when examined under the microscope.[2]

Establishing the malignant potential of these tumours remains challenging although criteria[3] have been suggested; some PEComas display malignant features whereas others can cautiously be labeled as having 'uncertain malignant potential'.[2] The most common tumours in the PEComa family are renal angiomyolipoma and pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis, both of which are more common in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex. The genes responsible for this multi-system genetic disease have also been implicated in other PEComas.[2]

Many PEComa types shows a female predominance in the sex ratio.

  1. ^ Martignoni G, Pea M, Reghellin D, Zamboni G, Bonetti F (February 2008). "PEComas: the past, the present and the future". Virchows Arch. 452 (2): 119–32. doi:10.1007/s00428-007-0509-1. PMC 2234444. PMID 18080139.
  2. ^ a b c Folpe, AL; Kwiatkowski DJ (2009). "Perivascular epitheloid cell neoplasms: pathology and pathogenesis". Human Pathology. 41 (1): 1–15. doi:10.1016/j.humpath.2009.05.011. PMID 19604538.
  3. ^ Folpe AL, Mentzel T, Lehr HA, Fisher C, Balzer BL, Weiss SW (Dec 2005). "Perivascular epithelioid cell neoplasms of soft tissue and gynecologic origin: a clinicopathologic study of 26 cases and review of the literature". Am J Surg Pathol. 29 (12): 1558–75. doi:10.1097/01.pas.0000173232.22117.37. PMID 16327428.