Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors in childhood: a report from the Italian Cooperative Group studies

Treatment and outcomes in pediatric inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors - A systematic review of published studies

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a soft tissue neoplasm which can be locally invasive, recur, or in rare cases metastasize. Often originating from the abdomen or thorax, IMT most commonly affects children and young adults. Due to its rarity comprehensive reports detailing clinical management and outcome(s) are sparse and often based on limited index case numbers. This study systematically analyzes outcome metrics of pediatric IMT and identifies risk factors for mortality. Medline/Embase databases were searched in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Final analysis included 57 studies with 673 IMT patients (355 males, 53 %). Individual patient data was available for 405 cases with a median follow-up period of 36 months. Tumor sites included abdomen/pelvis (n = 233, 58 %), thorax (n = 125, 31 %), head/neck (n = 34, 8 %), and extremities (n = 13, 3 %). Surgical tumor resection was the mainstay of treatment, while only 20 patients (5 %) were treated non-operatively. Recurrence(s) were reported in 80 patients (20 %) with 34 (12 %) requiring reoperation. Positive tumor margins were a significant risk factor for tumor recurrence (p < 0.0001). Chemo/radiotherapy was reported in 98 patients (25 %). Most patients (94 %) survived; 81 % (n = 237) with no evidence of recurrent disease, 14 % (n = 41) were alive with disease, and 25 (6 %) died of disease. Positive margins at primary operation, and metastatic disease were associated with mortality (p < 0.0001 for both). IMT is a rare tumor with favorable outcome for the majority of patients. Whilst most patients will present with benign tumors, complete surgical resection (R0) is crucial, as positive surgical margins are a significant risk factor for tumor recurrence and mortality.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the adrenal gland: A case report

Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor (IMT) occurring in the adrenal gland is extremely rare, and pathologic examination is the gold standard for confirming the diagnosis. We report a case of IMT of adrenal origin in a patient whose diagnosis was confirmed by pathological examination after surgical resection of the tumor. Although previous studies have reported an overall favorable prognosis for IMT, regular and long-term follow-up is necessary.

Pediatric skull inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor: a rare case report and literature review

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) represent rare neoplasms, particularly infrequent in the pediatric skull. We present a novel case of a newborn male with a 5 cm right temporal mass and discuss current diagnostic and treatment options for IMTs. A multidisciplinary effort to surgically remove the lesion was successful, and the patient's skull defect healed without neurological deficits. The etiology of IMTs remains elusive, with proposed associations with chromosomal mutations in the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene. Surgical excision remains the primary treatment for IMTs. Promising pharmacological treatments, like Crizotinib, warrant further research into understanding potential alternatives in IMT management.

Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic fissureless right upper lobe anterior segmentectomy for inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor: A case report

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) are exceptionally rare neoplasms with intermediate malignant potential. Surgery is the accepted treatment option, aiming for complete resection with clear margins.

CASE SUMMARY

A 39-year-old woman presented with a growing solitary pulmonary nodule measuring 2.0 cm in the right upper lobe (RUL) of the lung. The patient under-went a RUL anterior segmentectomy using uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopy. A preliminary tissue diagnosis indicated malignancy; however, it was later revised to an IMTs. Due to the absence of a minor fissure between the right upper and middle lobes, an alternative resection approach was necessary. Therefore, we utilized indocyanine green injection to aid in delineating the intersegmental plane. Following an uneventful recovery, the patient was discharged on the third postoperative day. Thereafter, annual chest tomography scans were scheduled to monitor for potential local recurrence.

CONCLUSION

This case underscores the challenges in diagnosing and managing IMTs, showing the importance of accurate pathologic assessments and tailored surgical strategies.

Update of Diagnosis and Targeted Therapy for ALK+ Inflammation Myofibroblastic Tumor

OPINION STATEMENT: Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT), characterized by intermediate malignancy and a propensity for recurrence, has presented a formidable clinical challenge in diagnosis and treatment. Its pathological characteristics may resemble other neoplasms or reactive lesions, and the treatment was limited, taking chemotherapies as the only option for those inoperable. However, discovering anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) protein expression in approximately 50% of IMT cases has shed light on a new diagnostic approach and application of targeted therapies. With the previous success of combating ALK+ non-small-cell lung cancers with ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), crizotinib, a first-generation ALK-TKI, was officially approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2020, to treat unresectable ALK+ IMT. After the approval of crizotinib, other ALK-TKIs, such as ceritinib, alectinib, brigatinib, and lorlatinib, have proven their efficacy on ALK+ IMT with sporadic case reports. The sequential treatments of targeted therapies in may provide the insight into the choice of ALK-TKIs in different lines of treatment for unresectable ALK+ IMT.

Treatment modalities of ALK-positive relapsed/refractory inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the brain and lungs in 7-year-old girl: case-based reviews

PURPOSE

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) belongs to mesenchymal neoplasm of intermediate malignancy in WHO classification. Primary CNS disease or CNS metastases (CNS-IMT) occur in minority. We describe a case of relapsed/refractory IMT of lungs with multiple brain metastases in young child who achieved long-term complete response after alectinib. This systematic review also summarizes treatment modalities and outcome of children and adolescent with CNS-IMT.

METHODS

PRISMA 2020 guideline was applied to select an article from PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases without time limits. This review focused on children and adolescent 0-24 years of age with CNS-IMT or inflammatory pseudotumor (CNS-IPT). The clinical characteristics and treatment outcome were explored.

RESULTS

A total of 51 patients in 49 publications were identified. Median age of patients with CNS-IMT/IPT was 15-year-old and 60.8% were male. The most common location of tumor was cerebral cortex (54.9%). Complete resection of CNS-IMT/IPT was performed in 27 cases with 100% complete response and 18.5% recurrence. Nearly half of patients who received partial resection without adjuvant therapy experienced progressive disease, while the contrast group totally achieved partial response. Overall responses in 7 patients treating with ALK inhibitors were 57.1% durable complete response and 42.9% transient partial response.

CONCLUSION

First-line treatment of CNS-IMT/IPT is complete resection. Patients who received partial tumor removal might have benefit from adjuvant therapy. ALK inhibitors reveal a promising result in unresectable CNS-IMT/IPT. Our case has shown a success in treating relapsed and refractory CNS-IMT as well as the primary site using 2nd-generation ALK inhibitor.

Jejunal Intussusception Secondary to a Large Inflammatory Fibroid Polyp: A Case Report and Discussion of Differential Diagnosis

Inflammatory fibroid polyp (IFP), initially considered a reactive process, is now recognized as a benign mesenchymal neoplasm of the gastrointestinal tract. We report a case of a 68-year-old woman with medically refractory Crohn disease that presented with intussusception requiring surgical intervention. The resection revealed a jejunal mass consisting of a submucosal proliferation of bland spindle cells in a fibrous stroma infiltrated by numerous eosinophils. By immunohistochemistry, the lesion was positive for vimentin and negative for desmin, smooth muscle actin (SMA), S-100, CD117, DOG1, ALK (D5F3), Melan-A, HMB-45, CD34, and STAT6. Ki-67 proliferative index was low (<1%). The mass was classified as IFP by its characteristic morphology and associated eosinophilia. IFP should be considered in the differential diagnosis of adults with intussusception or bowel obstruction. Definitive treatment typically requires surgical resection of the involved bowel segment.

Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumour: State of the Art

Simple Summary

Among sarcomas, which are rare cancers, inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors are extremely rare. Unlike other subtypes, this is a largely oncogene-driven neoplasia, and early gene rearrangement identification is important for accurate advanced stage treatment. In this manuscript, we review the clinicopathologic characteristics of this ultra-rare entity, as well as the current treatment landscape, with a particular focus on opportunities provided by tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs).

Abstract

An inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a neoplasm composed of myofibroblastic and fibroblastic spindle cells accompanied by inflammatory cells, including lymphocytes and eosinophils. It is an ultra-rare tumor, the optimal management of which remains to be defined. Surgery is the treatment of choice for localized tumors. The treatment of advanced disease is not precisely defined. Chemotherapy regimens result in an overall response rate of approximately 50% based on retrospective data. The latest pathophysiological data highlight the role played by tyrosine kinase fusion genes in IMT proliferation. Anaplast lymphoma kinase (ALK) oncogenic activation mechanisms have been characterized in approximately 80% of IMTs. In this context, data regarding targeted therapies are most important. The aims of this article are to review the latest published data on the use of systematic therapy, particularly the use of molecular targeted therapy, and to publish an additional case of an IMT with Ran-binding protein 2 (RANPB2)-ALK fusion showing a long response to a tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Update of pediatric soft tissue tumors with review of conventional MRI appearance-part 1: tumor-like lesions, adipocytic tumors, fibroblastic and myofibroblastic tumors, and perivascular tumors

There are numerous soft tissue tumors and tumor-like conditions in the pediatric population. Magnetic resonance imaging is the most useful modality for imaging these lesions. Although certain soft tissue lesions exhibit magnetic resonance features characteristic of a specific diagnosis, most lesions are indeterminate, and a biopsy is necessary for diagnosis. We provide a detailed update of soft tissue tumors and tumor-like conditions that occur in the pediatric population, emphasizing each lesion's conventional magnetic resonance imaging appearance, using the recently released 5th edition of the World Health Organization Classification of Soft Tissue and Bone Tumors as a guide. In part one of this review, pediatric tumor-like lesions, adipocytic tumors, fibroblastic and myofibroblastic tumors, and perivascular tumors are discussed. In part two, vascular lesions, fibrohistiocytic tumors, muscle tumors, peripheral nerve sheath tumors, tumors of uncertain differentiation, and undifferentiated small round cell sarcomas are reviewed. Per the convention of the WHO, these lesions involve the connective, subcutaneous, and other non-parenchymatous-organ soft tissues, as well as the peripheral and autonomic nervous system.

Clinical features and prognostic factors of spinal fibroblastic/myofibroblastic tumors: a long-term, single-center, retrospective study

Background

Spinal fibroblastic and myofibroblastic tumors (FMTs) are extremely rare. Few studies have reported on the features and outcomes of this condition that affects the axial skeleton. We explored the clinical characteristics and factors affecting the prognosis of spinal FMTs.

Methods

We retroactively assessed the survival of 51 patients with spinal FMTs who underwent surgical and adjuvant treatments in our center between April 2006 and September 2018. Factors affecting disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method. Variables with p value ≤ 0.05 were subjected to multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazards regression model. A two-sided P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

The mean follow-up period was 50.8 ± 35.6 months (Range 4.2–172.6). Kaplan–Meier survival curves showed that the 5-year DFS was 10% (95% CI [31.09-42.56]) and the 5-year OS was 53% (95% CI [61.28–97.20]). Multivariate analysis showed that en bloc excision was associated with better DFS (HR 0.214, 0.011) and OS (HR 0.273, 0.043), radiotherapy negatively affected OS (HR 0.353, 0.033), and the recurrence and Ki-67 index <5% significantly affected DFS (HR 3.008, 0.008 and 2.754, 0.029).

Conclusions

Spinal FMTs are rare. Surgery is the treatment of choice and en bloc excision is strongly recommended to improve outcomes. Disease recurrence and the Ki-67 marker are correlated with the progression of these tumors.

The Activity of Chemotherapy in Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumors: A Multicenter, European Retrospective Case Series Analysis

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to review the activity of cytotoxic chemotherapy in patients with inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) treated at nine European sarcoma reference centers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients of any age, with histologically proven IMT, treated with anthracycline-based methotrexate plus/minus vinorelbine/vinblastine (MTX-V) or other chemotherapeutic regimens between 1996 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Diagnosis was confirmed at the local level by an expert pathologist. Response was retrospectively assessed by local investigators by RECIST v1.1. Progression-free survival (PFS), relapse-free survival (RFS), and overall survival (OS) were computed by Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

Thirty-eight patients were included. Twenty-five patients (8 localized, 17 advanced disease) received an anthracycline-based regimen; 21 were evaluable for response. Overall response rate (ORR) was 10/21 (47.6%). At a 70.8-month median follow-up (FU), median RFS and median OS were not reached (NR) in patients with localized disease; median PFS and median OS were 6.3 (interquartile range [IQR]: 1.9-13.4) and 21.2 (IQR: 7.7-40.7) months in patients with advanced disease. Thirteen patients received MTX-V (4 localized, 9 advanced disease), all evaluable for response. ORR was 7/13 (53.8%). At a 56.6-month median FU, median RFS and median OS were 42.5 (IQR: 12.9-61.2) months and NR (no death events) in patients with localized disease, and NR (IQR: 24.9 to NR) and 83.4 months (IQR: 83.4 to NR) in patients with advanced disease. In the "other-regimens group," responses were seen in 3/4 patients treated with oral cyclophosphamide and 1/2 with docetaxel/gemcitabine.

CONCLUSION

Anthracycline-based and MTX-V regimens are very effective in IMT, with a similar ORR in both groups. MTX-V achieved a prolonged disease control. Responses were also seen with oral cyclophosphamide and docetaxel/gemcitabine, but few patients were treated with these schedules.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is an ultrarare sarcoma with known sensitivity to anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitors in ALK-fused cases, although ALK inhibitors are not licensed in the disease. The current knowledge on the activity of cytotoxic chemotherapy is limited. This multi-institutional retrospective study on pediatric and adult patients with IMT shows that cytotoxic chemotherapy, and in particular anthracycline-based and methotrexate plus/minus vinorelbine/vinblastine regimens, represents a treatment option and can be considered in IMT patients irrespectively from ALK status. This study provides a benchmark for future studies on new medical therapies.

ALK-1-positive inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the thyroid complicated by Hashimoto's thyroiditis: report of a rare case and a literature review

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) of the thyroid are extremely rare soft-tissue tumors. In the literature, IMTs are sometimes called plasma cell granulomas (PCGs) or inflammatory pseudotumors, which often causes ambiguity. To date, 17 cases of PCGs and five cases of thyroid IMTs have been reported. These cases reveal that IMTs of the thyroid are often negative for the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK-1) gene. To provide further information on this rare lesion, we present a case of an ALK-1-positive thyroid IMT and a review of IMTs of the thyroid.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 34-year-old Chinese woman presented with a painless neck mass that had persisted for over a month. Ultrasonography revealed a 4.28 × 2.53 cm² hypoechoic mass, in the left lobe of the thyroid gland. Serum levels of thyroglobulin and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies were high. Subsequently, left lobectomy was performed. Macroscopically, the lesion was a gray-brown nodular mass with a partial envelope. Histologically, two different lesion types were observed. The first lesion showed classic spindle cell proliferation, with spindle cells arranged in fascicles, accompanied by mature inflammatory cells. The other lesion showed a large number of infiltrating lymphocytes, with lymphoid follicles in the remaining thyroid gland, which was atrophic. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the spindle cells were negative for CK19, CyclinD1, Gelectin-3, EMA, CD34, S100, Bcl-2, and STAT-6, but strongly positive for ALK-1, vimentin, and TTF1. CK was focally expressed, and the Ki-67 index was 5%. A diagnosis of IMT was proposed according to immunohistochemical findings and morphology. Hashimoto's thyroiditis was confirmed according to serum levels of thyroglobulin and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies and morphology. The patient did not receive adjuvant therapy. She remained alive without disease recurrence for 10 months after lobectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

IMTs should be considered in the diagnosis when spindle cell proliferation accompanied by mature inflammatory cells is observed, spindle cells are mildly atypical, and myofibroblast differentiation is present in the thyroid. A uniform diagnostic term is crucial to avoid ambiguity. Clinicians and pathologists should be aware of the necessity for long-term follow-up, especially in ALK-positive cases. The therapeutic potential of ALK-1 positivity should be explored further.

Infantile inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors: clinicopathological and molecular characterization of 12 cases

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors arising in infants are rare, poorly investigated and mostly reported as isolated cases or as a part of larger series thus, their clinicopathological and molecular features are essentially unknown. Archival files from two large pediatric institutions and a tumor registry were queried for pediatric inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors. Available material from patients ≤12 months of age was reviewed. Additional immunostains (ALK-1, D240, WT1) and ALK-FISH studies were performed as needed. Targeted anchored multiplex PCR with next-generation sequencing was done in all cases. A total of 12 of 131 infantile cases (mean 5.5 months) were identified (M:F of 2:1). Anatomic locations included intestinal/mesenteric (n = 6), head/neck (n = 3), and viscera (n = 3). Half of tumors showed a hypocellular myxoid pattern, perivascular condensation, and prominent vasculature with vague glomeruloid structures present in four of them. The remaining cases exhibited a more cellular pattern with minimal myxoid component. ALK-1 immunohistochemistry was positive in most cases (11/12) with cytoplasmic-diffuse (n = 6), cytoplasmic-granular (n = 2), and dot-like (n = 3) staining patterns. ALK fusion partners identified in five cases included EML4, TPM4, RANBP2, and a novel KLC1. Three inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors showed fusions with other kinases including TFG-ROS1 and novel FN1-ROS1 and RBPMS-NTRK3 rearrangements. Favorable outcome was documented in most cases (10/11) with available follow-up (median 17 months) while three patients were successfully treated with crizotinib. In summary, infantile inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors are rare and can exhibit paucicellular, extensively myxoid/vascular morphology with peculiar immunophenotype mimicking other mesenchymal or vascular lesions. All tumors harbored kinase fusions involving ALK, ROS1, and NTRK3 including three novel fusion partners (KLC1, FN1, and RBPMS, respectively). A favorable response to crizotinib seen in three cases supports its potential use in infants as seen in older patients. Awareness of these unusual morphologic, immunophenotypic, and molecular features is critical for appropriate diagnosis and optimized targeted therapy.

Pulmonary Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor in Children: A Case Report and Brief Review of Literature

The inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare lesion of unclear etiology and variable clinical course, consisting of a proliferation of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts, mixed with inflammatory cells. Synonyms of IMT are inflammatory pseudotumor and plasma cell granuloma reflecting the alleged inflammatory nature attributed to this lesion, even though this heterogeneity in the disease denomination is probably involved in a dispersion of the literature data. Among primary pulmonary neoplasms, it represents the most frequent endobronchial tumor of childhood and beyond the lung it has been described mainly in the bladder, mediastinum and mesentery. Despite having a tendency for local recurrence, the risk of distant metastasis is low. Clinical presentation depends on localization therefore lung peripheral lesions are often asymptomatic resulting in a delayed diagnosis. Radiological findings can suggest the diagnosis that must be confirmed by histopathology assessment. The tumor has been characterized by the application of immunohistochemical techniques, molecular biology and cytogenetics, which are very precious for the diagnosis. The therapeutic approach consists in the complete surgical excision of the lesion that normally ensures excellent survival. Due to the potential risk of recurrence, close clinical trial is indicated. To date only 24 cases of pulmonary IMT have been described, although the prevalence is probably higher. We present a case report of a 3-year-old girl with pulmonary IMT and a brief review of known literature cases in order to highlight the most common clinical presentations, the most useful diagnostic tools and therapeutic approach.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the small intestine mimicking acute appendicitis: a case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor is a rare tumor of a borderline malignancy. Although it is commonly seen in children, the number of childhood cases in the current literature is limited. The lung is the most commonly affected location. However, cases that have been documented in the mesentery-omentum have mostly been located in the mesentery of the small bowel and not in the antimesenteric edge as in our patient.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 6-year-old Greek boy was referred to our hospital with acute abdominal pain mimicking appendicitis. Ultrasound and computed tomography revealed a solid mass in the abdomen. The patient underwent laparoscopic resection of the tumor, and histopathology and immunohistochemical analysis favored an omental-mesenteric myxoid hamartoma, which is a variant of an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful, and he has been asymptomatic during follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the small intestine is a rare, benign neoplasm in children that should be considered as a possible cause of acute abdomen. A precise diagnosis can be made on the basis of histologic findings. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice.

Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor Presenting with Diabetes Insipidus in an Eight-Year-Old Boy: A Case Report

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMT) develop as a non-neoplastic proliferation of myofibroblasts in a myxoid to collagenous stroma admixed with inflammatory cells. The symptoms depend on the specific location of the tumor, which can be anywhere, but is particularly in the respiratory system. Thus, patients with IMT can present with a variety of findings. A pediatric patient with IMT who presented with cough, breathlessness, polyuria-polydipsia, and convulsions is described in this report.

Clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with soft tissue sarcoma by the Spanish group for research in sarcomas (GEIS)

Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) constitute an uncommon and heterogeneous group of tumours, which require a complex and specialized multidisciplinary management. The diagnostic approach should include imaging studies and core needle biopsy performed prior to undertaking surgery. Wide excision is the mainstay of treatment for localized sarcoma, and associated preoperative or postoperative radiotherapy should be administered in high-risk patients. Adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with a modest improvement in survival in a meta-analysis and constitutes a standard option in selected patients with high-risk STS. In metastatic patients, surgery must be evaluated in selected cases. In the rest of patients, chemotherapy and, in some subtypes, targeted therapy often used in a sequential strategy constitutes the treatment of election. Despite important advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology of the disease, the advances achieved in therapeutic results may be deemed still insufficient. Moreover, due to the rarity and complexity of the disease, the results in clinical practice are not always optimal. For this reason, the Spanish Group for Research on Sarcoma (GEIS) has developed a multidisciplinary clinical practice guidelines document, with the aim of facilitating the diagnosis and treatment of these patients in Spain. In the document, each practical recommendation is accompanied by level of evidence and grade of recommendation on the basis of the available data.

Omental mesenteric myxoid hamartoma, a subtype of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor? Considerations based on the histopathological evaluation of four cases

Omental mesenteric myxoid hamartoma (OMH) is a distinctive myxoid lesion of infancy, characterized by a benign clinical behavior. In the current World Health Organization (WHO) classification of soft tissue tumors, it is considered as part of the morphologic spectrum of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMT), but this relationship with IMT is still subject to debate. Four lesions with histologic features of OMH occurring in newborns and toddlers are described and compared with classic, ALK-positive IMT. All OMH showed a peculiar dot-like immunostaining for ALK, which, in one of the cases, was cytogenetically found to be associated with an inversion of the ALK gene. While OMHs were positive for smooth muscle actin (SMA), desmin, WT1, podoplanin, and cytokeratins (CAM5.2 and AE1-3), IMT were consistently positive only for SMA (10 cases). ALK-1 displayed cytoplasmic staining in IMT and characteristic paranuclear dot-like staining in OMH.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumours of the maxillary sinus: A brief clinical report and review of the literature

Although inflammatory myofibroblastic tumours (IMTs) have been accepted as a clonal neoplasm, their pathology is poorly understood due to variable presentation. There is no identifiable cause and they are usually observed as tumour growth combined with inflammation. In the current WHO classification, IMTs are designated as intermediate malignancies. In terms of biological potential, IMTs are classified under 'rarely metastasizing'. IMTs are rare in the maxillary sinus but, when reported, can be locally aggressive or even destructive if they invade the orbit. The authors present a brief clinical report describing a five-year-old girl with a slow-growing mass in the right maxillary sinus extending into the lacrimal sac and its management.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the colon with an unusual presentation of intestinal intussusception

Inflammatory myfibroblastic tumor (IMT), also known as inflammatory pseudotumor is unusual, benign solid tumor. This tumor is commonly reported in the lungs but can be present in extrapulmonary sites as well. We present the case of a 7-year-old girl with IMT in an unusual location. The patient was admitted with abdominal pain, and ultrasound showed a solid mass in the abdomen. She was operated and colocolic intussusception secondary to a mass was found. Histologic evaluation of mass revealed IMT.

Pathology of gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is a well recognized and relatively well understood soft tissue tumor. Early events in GIST development are activating mutations in KIT or PDGFRA, which occur in most GISTs and encode for mutated tyrosine receptor kinases that are therapeutic targets for tyrosine kinase inhibitors, including imatinib and sunitinib. A small minority of GISTs possessing neither KIT nor PDGFRA mutations may have germline mutations in SDH, suggesting a potential role of SDH in the pathogenesis. Immunohistochemical detection of KIT, and more recently DOG1, has proven to be reliable and useful in the diagnosis of GISTs. Because current and future therapies depend on pathologists, it is important that they recognize KIT-negative GISTs, GISTs in specific clinical contexts, GISTs with unusual morphology, and GISTs after treatment. This review focuses on recent developments in the understanding of the biology, immunohistochemical diagnosis, the role of molecular analysis, and risk assessment of GISTs.