[Epithelioid vascular tumor]

Abstract

Epithelioid vascular tumors are neoplasms formed by endothelial cells, morphologically similar to epithelial cells. Morphological shape of the cells in this tumors varies from benign to malignant forms, causing the diverse biological potential of the tumors. This case-report presents immunophenotypically interesting epithelioid vascular tumor of the upper vena cava manifested in thrombotic complications. It is characterized by solid growth of tumor cells and the attempt of forming vascular channels. According to immunophenotype, tumor cells corresponded to endothelial cells with low proliferative potential and vasoformative capability of forming intracellular lumina. For that reason this tumor manifested similarity with epithelioid hemangioendothelioma. However, it differentiated from the hemangioendothelioma by benign cytomorphological characteristics of tumor cells, absence of pathological mitoses, more intensive inflammatory infiltrate with eosinophylia and good tissue control, of tumor growth because of the presence of pericites. According to histological features and histochemical analyses the diagnosis of this tumor was established as an intravascular, solid, epithelioid hemangioma.