Solitary fibrous tumour of the genitourinary tract: a clinicopathological study of 11 cases and their association with the NAB2 - STAT6 fusion gene.

Aims: To characterise clinicopathological features and clinical outcomes of the genitourinary tract solitary fibrous tumours, incorporating NAB2 - STAT6 gene fusion status.
Methods: The presence of the molecular hallmark NAB2 - STAT6 gene fusion and for the defining fusion partner product STAT6 was assessed in 11 cases of the genitourinary tract solitary fibrous tumours. NAB2 - STAT6 gene fusion analysis was performed using a break-apart fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) probe using a probe cocktail with Bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones for STAT6 and NAB2 .
Results: Eleven solitary fibrous tumours were diagnosed in eight male patients and three female patients with a mean age of 46 years (range: 11-64 years). Four of the tumours had malignant histological features, and three were considered moderate risk for metastasis. With a mean follow-up time of 61 months, 1 recurred locally and 2 presented at distant metastatic sites. Using a break-apart FISH probe cocktail, we found the NAB2 - STAT6 gene fusion and nuclear STAT6 expression in 58% and 91% of cases, respectively. However, the NAB2 - STAT6 fusion status was not correlated with STAT6 expression or useful in discriminating between malignant histological features or subsequent clinical outcomes in the genitourinary solitary fibrous tumours.
Conclusions: A subset of solitary fibrous tumours of the genitourinary tract behaved aggressively. Using a break-apart FISH probe cocktail, we found the NAB2 - STAT6 gene fusion in 64% of cases. However, the NAB2 - STAT6 fusion status was not correlated with STAT6 expression or useful in discriminating between low-risk or high-risk tumours and subsequent clinical outcomes.
Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared.
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