Alveolar soft-part sarcomas.Structurally characteristic tumors of uncertain histogenesis

Abstract

of this paper is to furnish a rCc u m 6 of the presently available clinicopathological data on a type of soft-part sarcoma quite unlike any well-documented tumor of which we are aware. During some seventeen years, examples of this tumor have passed through the laboratories of the Memorial Center and have been placed in the file of unclassified tumors pending the accumulation of such data as might aid in their understanding. Suffice it to say that, whereas information regarding tumor behavior has been obtained, nothing certain has appeared to aid in the elucidation of histogenesis. Examples of the tumor have accumulated at the rate of less than one per year, the majority coming from sources outside the hospital. As follow-up records became more complete, fuller implications of the behavior pattern became known largely through the kindness and co-operation of many colleagues. These were of considerable interest to us and form the basis for the present discussion.