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Ovarian high grade adenosarcoma with DICER1 mutations: a case report

  • Alexandra McHarg1,*,
  • Lyndal Anderson2,3
  • Peter Grimison3,4
  • Jessica Yang3,5
  • Samir A Saidi3,6

1Department of Women and Babies, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, 2050 Sydney, NSW, Australia

2Department of Tissue Pathology and Diagnostic Oncology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, 2050 Sydney, NSW, Australia

3Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, 2006 Sydney, NSW, Australia

4Department of Medical Oncology, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, 2050 Sydney, NSW, Australia

5Department of Radiology, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, 2139 Sydney, NSW, Australia

6Department of Gynaecologic Oncology, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, 2050 Sydney, NSW, Australia

DOI: 10.22514/ejgo.2025.139 Vol.46,Issue 11,November 2025 pp.70-76

Submitted: 25 May 2025 Accepted: 25 September 2025

Published: 15 November 2025

*Corresponding Author(s): Alexandra McHarg E-mail: alexandra.mcharg@health.nsw.gov.au

Abstract

Background: Ovarian sarcomas are uncommon. They often present with non-specific symptoms in advanced stages and carry a poor prognosis. Due to their rarity and heterogeneity, little is known regarding their behaviour and there are no definitive management guidelines. DICER1 mutations are an emerging finding in gynaecological sarcomas but have been rarely reported in ovarian adenosarcomas. Case: A 35-year-old woman presented with acute abdominal pain, fevers and abdominal distension. Following initial pursuit of an infectious cause she proceeded to diagnostic surgery and right salpingo-oophorectomy. Histopathology demonstrated a poorly differentiated high grade spindle cell sarcoma of the ovary with heterologous rhabdoid and chondroid differentiation, most in keeping with an adenosarcoma. Molecular testing identified DICER1 mutations. Following peritoneal recurrence she received palliative-intent chemotherapy with doxorubicin followed by maintenance cyclophosphamide. This was associated with a complete metabolic and radiologic response that was maintained for 14 months until a rapid, large volume recurrence. Conclusion: This is a unique case offering insight into the behaviour and diagnostic challenge of a rare tumour and its novel molecular finding.


Keywords

Ovarian sarcoma; Adenosarcoma; DICER1; Spindle cell sarcoma


Cite and Share

Alexandra McHarg,Lyndal Anderson,Peter Grimison,Jessica Yang,Samir A Saidi. Ovarian high grade adenosarcoma with DICER1 mutations: a case report. European Journal of Gynaecological Oncology. 2025. 46(11);70-76.

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