FREQUENCY OF POSITIVITY OF NKX2.2 IN CASES OF EWING SARCOMA IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to ascertain the prevalence of NKX2.2 positive in Ewing sarcoma and to evaluate its correlation with clinicopathological characteristics.

Study Design: Cross-Sectional Study.

Study Setting: The study conducted at the department of Histopathology at the Children Hospital and the University of Child Health Sciences in Lahore.

Study Duration: Six Months (Dec-24 to May, 2025)

Methodology: A total of 97 histologically validated cases of Ewing sarcoma were examined. We gathered demographic and clinical data and did IHC staining for CD99 and NKX2.2. Statistical study utilized Chi-square and t-tests to assess correlations between marker expression and clinical variables, including age, gender, location, and symptom duration.

Results: Average age of the patients was 7.57 ± 3.26 years, and majority were males. Most of the lesions (77.3%) were in soft tissue, with the chest wall (47.4%) and femur (11.3%) being the most common places. In 98.8% of cases that could be evaluated, CD99 was positive, and in 95.7% of cases, NKX2.2 was positive. Co-expression of both markers was elevated and statistically insignificant (p = 0.87). There were no significant links between marker positive and age, gender, biopsy site, or illness duration (all p > 0.05).

Conclusion: The combined evaluation of CD99 and NKX2.2 improves diagnostic precision, particularly in resource-constrained environments lacking molecular tests.