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Angiomyofibroblastoma of the Cervix Uteri: A Case Report


Angiomyofibroblastóm krčku maternice: kazuistika

Východiska:
Angiomyofibroblastóm (AMFB) je zriedkavým patologickým nálezom na ženskom genitálnom trakte. Tento nádor patrí do skupiny mezenchymálnych nádorov, ktoré tvoria skupinu nádorov z mäkkých tkanív vonkajších rodidiel a pošvy. Do tejto skupiny sú zaradené fibroepiteliálne stromálne polypy, angiomyofibroblastóm, celulárny angiomyofibróm, agresívny angiomyxóm, myofibroblastóm, vulvárna leiomyomatóza a iné tumory vychádzajúce z hladkej svaloviny. Angiomyofibroblastóm je nezhubný nádor veľmi podobný agresívnemu angiomyxómu (AMM), ktorý sa považuje za malígny mezenchymálny nádor pre jeho lokálny infiltratívny rast. Najčastejší výskyt je na vonkajšom ženskom genitáli a na perineu. Napriek jeho malígnemu rastu nemetastazuje.

Prípad:
44 ročná žena s nálezom angiomyofibroblastómu krčka maternice.

Záver:
Rozpoznanie tohto ochorenia je dôležité, aby sme sa vyvarovali nesprávnej diagnóze iných angiomyxoidných ochorení. Je dôležité vedieť, že vykazuje benígne chovanie, na rozdiel od iných agresívnych mezenchymálnych tumorov genitálneho traktu.

Kľúčové slová:
angiomyofibroblastóm – mezenchýmový tumor – tumor mäkkých tkanív


Authors: P. Babala 1;  C. Bíró 2;  M. Klačko 1;  P. Mikloš 1;  D. Ondruš 3
Authors place of work: Department of Gynecologic Oncology, St. Elizabeth Cancer Institute, Bratislava, Slovak Republic 1;  Histopatologia, Bratislava, Slovak Republic 2;  1st Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovak Republic 3
Published in the journal: Klin Onkol 2011; 24(2): 133-136
Category: Kazuistiky

Summary

Backgrounds:
Angiomyofibroblastoma (AMFB) is a rare histopathologic finding of the female lower genital tract. This tumor belongs to the group of mesenchymal tumors. Mesenchymal neo­plasms of the modified genital skin and mucosa are uncommon. The majority of these lesions are seen in females and, collectively, they form a family of vulvovaginal soft tissue tumors. This family includes fibroepithelial stromal polyps, angiomyofibroblastoma, cellular angiofibroma, aggressive angiomyxoma, vaginocervical myofibroblastoma, vulvar leiomyomatosis, and other smooth muscle tumors. Angiomyofibroblastoma is a benign tumor, histologically very similar to pelvic aggressive angiomyxoma (AMM), a distinctive, locally infiltrative but non-metastasizing mesenchymal neoplasm with a tendency to occur in the female pelvic and perineal regions.

Case:
44 years old woman with angiomyofibroblastoma of cervix uteri.

Conclusion:
A recognition of this entity is important to avoid misdiagnosis of other angiomyxoid neoplasms. Furthermore, unlike other, more aggressive, mesenchymal tumors of the lower genital tract, AMFB shows benign behaviour.

Key words:
angiomyofibroblastoma – mesenchymal neoplasm – soft-tissue neoplasm

Introduction

Clinically, AMFB typically involves the vulvar soft tissue of young to middle aged females, that ranges from 25 to 54 years (mean 36.3 years) [1 ]. The tumor typically presents as a vulvar mass that usually has its epicenter in the labia majora. In the case of vaginal or cervical finding of AMF, we can find a tumor mass in vagina or polypoid tumor of cervix uteri. Uncommon sites of these tumors include the female urethra [2] and fallopian tube [3].

These tumors develop as slowly growing, marginated masses. Because of their preferential location on the vulva they may be confused with a Bartholin’s cyst.

Fig. 1. Numerous thin walled capillary sized vessels. HE, 4x.
Fig. 1. Numerous thin walled capillary sized vessels. HE, 4x.

Fig. 2. Myxoid stroma. HE, 10x.
Fig. 2. Myxoid stroma. HE, 10x.

Pathology

The process probably aries as a neoplastic proliferation of hormonally responsive mesenchymal cells native to the unique subepithelial connective stromal layer normally found through the endocervix, vagina and vulva of adult women [4]. These tumors develop as slowly growing, marginated masses. Macroscopically, AMFBs range from 0.5 cm to 14 cm in greatest dimension with the majority of them between 2–8 cm. The lesions are well-circumscribed, round, ovoid, or lobulated masses with a soft to rubbery consistency. The cut surface varies from gray-pink to yellowish brown to tan and is of homogeneous texture with focal myxoid areas. Microscopically, the margin is well delineated and non--infiltrative. A complete or partial fibrous pseudocapsule of varying thickness may be present. Some tumors are bordered in part by mature adipose tissue or smooth muscle. The tumor is characterized by rich vascularization in a background of collagenous to edematous stroma with alternating hyper- and hypocellular regions [5,6]. The stromal background is edematous rather than myxoid. The nature of the background is supported by negative staining for Alcian blue stain. The stromal cells possess a bland, oval or elongated nuclei and either scanty, amphophilic cytoplasm with ill-defined margins or eosinophilic, tapered cytoplasm with better delineated cell borders. Intranuclear inclusions and longitudinal nuclear grooves are common in the spindle cells. Epithelioid mesenchymal cells with globoid eosinophilic cytoplasm and a single nucleus or occasional multiple, round nuclei may be present. Mitotic figures are characteristically rare or absent. The cellularity is quite variable and is somewhat related to the vascularity. In most cases, the spindled and epitheloid cells proliferate in a haphazard arrangement. In the more cellular cases, spindled cells form loosely organizing fascicles. Tumor cells may aggregate or form masses around blood vessels and those that are close to blood vessels may have a myoepithelial appearance. The vascular component of the tumor consists of small to medium-sized, rounded, curvilinear, non-branching, and thin-walled vessels. Perivascular fibrosis or sclerosis is a feature detected to some degree in all cases [5]. Strong and dif­fuse immunoreactivity for both desmin and vimentin is demonstrated in practically all cases. Only a minority of cells in some cases show positive immunoreactivity for either smooth muscle actin or pan-muscle actin [1,6,7,8,9,10]. Tumor cells are negative for S-100 protein, cytokeratin, collagen type IV, CD 68 and myoglobin [10,11,12]. The few cases examined ultrastructurally have shown fibroblastic features in most cells, with a minority showing myofibroblastic differentiation [1,6,8]. 

Fig. 3. Mesenchymal cells (round, oval to spindle shaped cells). HE, 20x.
Fig. 3. Mesenchymal cells (round, oval to spindle shaped cells). HE, 20x.

Fig. 4. Vimentin, 40x (positive reaction, arrows).
Fig. 4. Vimentin, 40x (positive reaction, arrows).

Differential diagnosis

AMFB is a rare mesenchymal tumor arise in the superficial lamina propria of the cervix and vagina and is histologically distinguishable from mesodermal (fibroepithelial) stromal polyp, including the cellular (pseudosarcomatous) variant, superficial cervicovaginal myofibroblastoma (SCVM), aggressive angiomyxoma, and other well-recognised lesions that occur in this location [1,4,5,11]. The most important differential diagnosis is aggressive angiomyxoma, first described by Steeper and Rosai [13] in 1983. Although rare examples have been subsequently reported in males [1,7,14], the vast majority of these tumors occur in women of reproductive age. Interestingly, rare tumors with a composite morphology of both AMFB and aggressive angiomyxoma have been described [14,11]. In addition to aggressive angiomyxoma, there are a few other entities should also be distinguished from AMFB. An excellent review of the subject is available [15]. Some of the major differential diagnoses are discussed here. Cellular angiofibroma shares similarities with AMFB in terms of age, sex, and location. This lesion typically presents as a small, well circumscribed mass. In contrast to AMFB, focal extension into surrounding tissue can be seen. The cellular component is composed of spindle cells arranged in short intersecting fascicles that are admixed with thick walled hyalinized blood vessels and collagen bundles. Although there is brisk mitosis, pleomorphism and necrosis are absent. These tumors are reported to be benign, with no local recurrences or metastasis being described. Superficial angiomyxoma occurs most commonly in the fourth decade of life. Over half of the cases occur in the trunk and lower extremities. The rest occurs in the upper extremities, head and neck region and most of the lesions are under 5 cm [17]. In the genital region, about three quarters of the cases occur in females [18]. Grossly, superficial angiomyxoma can be polypoid. Histologically, it is a myxoid neoplasm with moderately to sparsely cellular myxoid nodules with delicate, thin walled capillary sized blood vessels. The stromal cells are spindle to stellate in shape and bland. Mitoses are uncommon. Scattered inflammatory cells, particularly neutrophils, are always present. About a third of cases may have an epithelial component such as a keratin filled cyst and epithelial strands. Although benign, about a third of the tumors may be locally destructive. There was encountered angiomyofibroblastomas with sarcomatous areas. These tumors may either resemble an angiomyofibroblastoma with „malignant features“ or they may display sarcomatous areas resembling lyiomyosarcoma or undifferentiated sarcoma. None of these rare malignant tumors has metastasized [19]. 

Fig. 5. Dezmin, 40x (positive reaction, arrows).
Fig. 5. Dezmin, 40x (positive reaction, arrows).

Fig. 6. CD44, 40x (positive reaction, arrows).
Fig. 6. CD44, 40x (positive reaction, arrows).

Case presentation

We report a case of 44-year woman with polypoid tumor arising from the cervix uteri with histological finding of AMFB. Gynecological history of patient: menarche in age of 12 years with regular periods 28–30 days, no history of bleeding between periods. 2 spontaneous deliveries, 1 miscarriage, no history of oral contraceptives. In the age of 41 years removal of the right ovary for endometriotic cyst, without any other hormonal medication. There were no history of abnormal PAP smear. Grand mother died for diagnosis of endometrial carcinoma. Clinical finding were polypoid formation arising from the cervix with smooth surface, pink color, rubbery consistency. No other abnormal finding on genital tract.

Fig. 7. Ki67, 10x (negative reaction, arrows).
Fig. 7. Ki67, 10x (negative reaction, arrows).

Fig. 8. Sarcomeric Actin, 10x (negative reaction, arrows).
Fig. 8. Sarcomeric Actin, 10x (negative reaction, arrows).

Histopathologic finding

Polypous formation 2 cm in greatest dimension, well-circumscribed, rubbery consistency, subepithelial in location, with edematous and myxoid stroma, numerous thin- walled vessels, focal bleedings, small oval to fusiform only „stellate“ cells with minimal cytoplasm, basophilic nuclei without markedly atypias, without proliferation.

Positive IHC: vimentin, desmin, CD44, negative IHC: sarkomeric actin, Ki67: under 1.0%.

Conclusion

Recognation of this entity is important to avoid misdiagnosis with other angiomyxoid neoplasms. It is important to recognize this entity as it shows benign behaviour with respect to other mesenchymal tumors of the lower genital tract, which have a more aggressive behaviour. 

The authors declare they have no potential conflicts of interest concerning drugs, pruducts, or services used in the study.

Autoři deklarují, že v souvislosti s předmětem studie nemají žádné komerční zájmy.

The Editorial Board declares that the manuscript met the ICMJE “uniform requirements” for biomedical papers.

Redakční rada potvrzuje, že rukopis práce splnil ICMJE kritéria pro publikace zasílané do bi omedicínských časopisů.

Babala Peter, MD.

Department of Gynecologic Oncology

St. Elizabeth Cancer Institute

Heydukova 10

812 50 Bratislava

Slovak Republic

e-mail: pbabala@ousa.sk

Submitted/Obdrženo: 23. 9. 2010

Accepted/Přijato: 5. 1. 2011


Zdroje

1. Weis SW, Goldblum JR. Enzinger and Weiss’s Soft Tissue Tumors. 4th ed. St. Louis: Mosby 2001: 695–723.

2. Kitamura H, Miyao N, Sato Y et al. Angiomyofibroblastoma of the female urethra. Int J Urol 1999; 6(5): 268–270.

3. Kobayashi T, Suzuki K, Arai T et al. Angiomyofibroblastoma arising from the fallopian tube. Obstet Gynecol 1999; 94(5): 833–834.

4. Zamecnik M, Michal M. Angiomyofibroblastoma of the lower genital tract in women. Cesk Patol 1994, 30(1): 16–18.

5. Nielsen GP, Young RH. Mesenchymal tumors and tumor-like lesions of the female genital tract: a selective review with emphasis on recently described entities. Int J Gynecol Pathol 2001; 20(2):105–127.

6. Nielsen GP, Rosenberg AE, Young RH et al. Angiomyofibroblastoma of the vulva and vagina. Mod Pathol 1996; 9(3): 284–291.

7. Ockner DM, Sayadi H, Swanson PE et al. Genital angio­myofibroblastoma. Comparison with aggressive angiomyxoma and other myxoid neoplasms of skin and soft tissue. Am J Clin Pathol 1997; 107(1): 36–44.

8. Hisaoka M, Kouho H, Aoki T et al. Angiomyofibroblastoma of the vulva: a clinicopathologic study of seven cases. Pathol Int 1995; 45(7): 487–492.

9. Wang J, Sheng W, Tu X et al. Clinicopathologic analysis of angiomyofibroblastoma of the female genital tract. Clin Med J 2000, 113(11): 1036–1039.

10. Horiguchi H, Matsui-Horiguchi M, Fujiwara M et al. Angiomyofibroblastoma of the vulva:report of a case with immunohistochemical and molecular analysis. Int J Gynecol Pathol 2003; 22(3): 277–284.

11. Fletcher CD, Tsang WY, Fisher C et al. Angiomyofibroblastoma of the vulva: a benign neoplasm distinct from aggressive angiomyxoma. Am J Surg Pathol 1992; 16(4): 378–382.

12. Bigotti G, Coli A, Gasbarri A et al. Angiomyofibroblastoma and aggressive angiomyxoma: two benign mesenchymal neoplasms of the female genital tract. An immunohistochemical study. Pathol Res Pract 1999; 195(1): 39–44.

13. Steeper TA, Rosai J. Aggressive angiomyxoma of the female pelvis and perineum. Report of nine cases of a distinctive type of gynecologic soft-tissue neoplasm. Am J Surg Pathol 1983; 7(5): 463–475.

14. Granter SR, Nucci MR, Fletcher CD. Aggressive angiomyxoma: a reappraisal of its relationship to angiomyofibroblastoma in a series of 16 cases. Histopathology 1997; 30(1): 3–10.

15. Nucci MR, Fletcher CD. Vulvovaginal soft tissue tumors: update and review. Histopathology 2000; 36(2): 97–108.

16. Nucci MR, Granter SR, Fletcher CD. Cellular angiofibroma: a benign neoplasm distinct from angiomyofibroblastoma and spindle cell lipoma. Am J Surg Pathol 1997; 21(6): 636–644.

17. Allen PW, Dymock RB, MacCormac LB. Superficial angiomyxomas with and without epithelial components. Report of 30 tumors in 28 patients. Am J Surg Pathol 1988; 12(7): 519–30.

18. Fetsch JF, Jaskin WB, Tavassoli FA. Superficial angiomyxoma (cutaneous myxoma): a clinicopathologic study of 17 cases arising in the genital region. Int J Gynecol Pathol 1997; 16(4): 325–334.

19. Nielsen GP, Young RH, Dickersin DR et al. Angiomyofibroblastoma of the vulva with sarcomatous transformation (angiomyofibrosarcoma). Am J Surg Pathol 1997; 21(9): 1104–1108.

Štítky
Detská onkológia Chirurgia všeobecná Onkológia

Článok vyšiel v časopise

Klinická onkologie

Číslo 2

2011 Číslo 2
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