Lipomatous Variant of Angiomyofibroblastoma: Report of Two Cases and Review of the Literature

Update on Mesenchymal Lesions of the Lower Female Genital Tract

This article provides an update of the recent developments in mesenchymal tumors of lower genital tract. We focus on the characterization of recurrent molecular events in certain genital stromal tumors, for instance angiomyofibroblastomas and superficial myofibroblastomas. Moreover, fusions involving Tyrosine-kinases receptors (NTRK, FRFR1, RET, COL1A1-PDGFB) have been demonstrated in an emerging group of mesenchymal tumors characterized by a fibrosarcoma-like morphology and a predilection for uterine cervix of premenopausal women. We also cover the topic of smooth muscle tumors of the lower genital tract, which can be now classified using the same diagnostic criteria than their uterine counterpart..

Angiomyofibroblastoma and Potential Mimicking Soft Tissue Tumors That May Occasionally Present in the Retroperitoneum: An Approach to the Differential Diagnosis With Report of an Unusual Index Case Abutting the Kidney

The retroperitoneal soft tissues, extending from the pelvic floor to the level of the diaphragm, are the source of a variety of mesenchymal neoplasms with overlapping features and distinct clinical behaviors, making their distinction of crucial importance. Herein, we report a rare retroperitoneal angiomyofibroblastoma (AMFB) that presented as a right abdominal mass in a 25-year-old woman and that clinically simulated a primary renal carcinoma. The patient underwent complete surgical resection showing a well-circumscribed tumor adjacent to but separate from the right kidney. It was comprised of irregular, often anastomosing islands and cords of plump to spindled cells in a collagenous stroma with numerous thin-walled vessels. The tumor cells clustered around the vessels and admixed with moderate numbers of adipocytes. There was neither significant nuclear atypia nor mitotic activity. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells showed strong reactivity for desmin, diffuse expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors, retained nuclear expression of retinoblastoma protein, and absent CD34 expression. The immunomorphological features were these of a "lipomatous variant" of AMFB of the retroperitoneum. The occurrence of AMFB in the retroperitoneum is unexpected since it mostly develops in the lower genital tract of young women, making its recognition in this rare location difficult. As a consequence, more common pelvic or retroperitoneal soft tissue neoplasms may represent the primary diagnostic considerations. We, therefore, review a variety of soft tissue tumors occurring in the pelvis/retroperitoneum that, to some degree, may mimic AMFB, and present key findings to assist in accurate diagnosis.

Cervicovaginal cellular angiofibroma

Cellular angiofibroma is a rare type of benign mesenchymal tumour that arises mostly in middle-aged women. It needs to be distinguished from other neoplasms and has a predilection for the vulvovaginal region. To our knowledge, this is the first case of a cervical cellular angiofibroma. A 34-year-old nulligravid woman was referred with a large mass bulging in the fornix posterior. Ultrasound scanning and MRI showed a large solid mass projecting in the pouch of Douglas. Laparoscopic surgical excision was performed. Histopathological examination showed a well-demarcated, unencapsulated tumour, consisting of short fascicles of spindle cells in-between thick-walled medium-sized vessels. On immunohistochemistry, there was strong reactivity with antibodies against CD34 and oestrogen receptor. Angiofibromas are benign mesenchymal tumours mostly occurring in middle-aged women. They can cause abnormal swelling and uterine bleeding and need to be distinguished from other (malignant) neoplasms.

Update on rare epithelial ovarian cancers: based on the Rare Ovarian Tumors Young Investigator Conference

There has been significant progress in the understanding of the pathology and molecular biology of rare ovarian cancers, which has helped both diagnosis and treatment. This paper provides an update on recent advances in the knowledge and treatment of rare ovarian cancers and identifies gaps that need to be addressed by further clinical research. The topics covered include: low-grade serous, mucinous, and clear cell carcinomas of the ovary. Given the molecular heterogeneity and the histopathological rarity of these ovarian cancers, the importance of designing adequately powered trials or finding statistically innovative ways to approach the treatment of these rare tumors has been emphasized. This paper is based on the Rare Ovarian Tumors Conference for Young Investigators which was presented in Tokyo 2015 prior to the 5th Ovarian Cancer Consensus Conference of the Gynecologic Cancer InterGroup (GCIG).

Lipomatous angiomyofibroblastoma of the vulva: A case report and review of the literature

Lipomatous angiomyofibroblastoma is extremely rare, with only 16 cases reported to date. We herein describe an additional case arising in the left vulvar region of a 49-year-old woman. The resected 5.3-cm yellowish tumor predominantly consisted of fat cells (85% of the tumor), together with medium- and small-sized vessels, multifocal fibrotic areas and pseudoangiomatous spaces. Spindle, rounded, and/or epithelioid tumor cells proliferated in a nest and/or cord-like pattern, or singly within perivascular fibrous tissues and between fat cells. The tumor cells were positive for vimentin, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, B-cell lymphoma 2, and CD10, but were negative for desmin, cytokeratin, epithelial membrane antigen, S-100 protein, human melanoma black 45, C-kit and p40. Ultrastructural examination revealed that these tumor cells exhibited fibroblastic characteristics. Lipomatous angiomyofibroblastoma should be discriminated from other lipomatous tumors, including spindle cell lipoma, angiomyolipoma and cellular angiofibroma containing numerous fat cells.

Lipomatous Angiomyofibroblastoma of the Vulva: Report of a Rare Variant

Angiomyofibroblastoma is a rare and benign tumor that usually involves vulvovaginal area in women of reproductive age and early menopause. We report a lipomatous angiomyofibroblastoma in a 55-year-old multigravid woman. This tumor measured 9 cm in size and contained prominent mature adipose tissue that comprised approximately 50% of the tumor.

Targeted inhibition of fascin function blocks tumour invasion and metastatic colonization

One of the key steps during tumour metastasis is tumour cell migration and invasion, which require actin cytoskeletal reorganization. Among the critical actin cytoskeletal protrusion structures are the filopodia, which act like cell sensory organs to communicate with the extracellular microenvironment and participate in fundamental cell functions such as cell adhesion, spreading and migration in the three-dimensional environment. Fascin is the main actin-bundling protein in filopodia. Using high-throughput screening, here we identify and characterize small molecules that inhibit the actin-bundling activity of fascin. Focusing on one such inhibitor, we demonstrate that it specifically blocks filopodial formation, tumour cell migration and invasion in vitro, and metastasis in vivo. Hence, target-specific anti-fascin agents have a therapeutic potential for cancer treatment.

Lipomatous variant of angiomyofibroblastoma: a case report and review of the literature

Angiomyofibroblastoma represents a rare, benign mesenchymal tumor with a predilection for the vulvovaginal region. Lipomatous change may occur but rarely comprises a substantial component of the lesion. There are only eight reports in the English language literature describing the lipomatous variant of this tumor. We describe a further lipomatous angiomyofibroblastoma that occurred on the labium majus of a 49-year-old woman. The histopathologic and immunohistochemical features are described, and the collective experience in the literature is reviewed.

Transvaginal sonographic features of perineal masses in the female lower urogenital tract: a retrospective study of 71 patients

OBJECTIVES

To assess the transvaginal ultrasonographic features of perineal masses in the lower urogenital tract in a cohort of 71 women.

METHODS

Seventy-one women with perineal masses were referred consecutively for transvaginal ultrasonography. Two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound was used to scan the pelvic floor, including the urethra, vagina and rectum, and identify any possible areas of interest. A static three-dimensional (3D) sonographic reconstruction of the pelvic anatomy was created to further delineate the relation of the lesions with their neighboring structures. Ultrasound results were compared retrospectively with surgical pathology outcome when possible.

RESULTS

Seventy-nine cystic, cystic-solid or solid masses were detected on transvaginal 2D ultrasonography in the 71 women: in 44 patients, 47 anechoic cystic masses were identified and diagnosed as vaginal wall cysts; in 19 patients, 23 hyperechoic cystic masses were diagnosed as vaginal epidermoid cysts; in each of two patients, a hypoechoic cystic-solid mass showing blood-flow signals on color Doppler imaging was diagnosed as urogenital angiomyofibroblastoma; in each of three patients, a hypoechoic cyst was diagnosed as urethral diverticulum; and in three patients with a known history of gynecological malignancy, solid heterogeneous masses with blood flow signals on color Doppler imaging were diagnosed as metastatic cancer. In all patients, 3D ultrasonography delineated the anatomical relationship of these masses to the vagina, urethra and rectum.

CONCLUSIONS

Transvaginal 2D and 3D ultrasonography is an accurate, non-invasive, cost-effective diagnostic modality for the delineation of congenital, septic and neoplastic lower urogenital tract perineal masses in women.

The role of actin bundling proteins in the assembly of filopodia in epithelial cells

The goal of this review is to highlight how emerging new models of filopodia assembly, which include tissue specific actin-bundling proteins, could provide more comprehensive representations of filopodia assembly that would describe more adequately and effectively the complexity and plasticity of epithelial cells.  This review also describes how the true diversity of actin bundling proteins must be considered to predict the far-reaching significance and versatile functions of filopodia in epithelial cells.

[Differential diagnosis of ovarian metastases]

Ovarian metastases comprise 7-10% of all malignant ovarian tumors. The detection of ovarian metastases is difficult because primary ovarian tumors are a morphologically very heterogeneous group, and metastases can simulate an primary ovarian tumor perfectly. A correct diagnosis, however, is most important in order to avoid an unnecessary and ineffective chemotherapy. Therefore, every morphologically unusual ovarian tumor should raise doubts. In addition, mucinous and endometrioid tumors may also be metastatic in nature. Immunohistochemistry, as well as knowledge on the patient's history, will clarify most of the suspicious cases.

Cytokeratins 7 and 20 in primary and secondary mucinous tumors of the ovary: analysis of coordinate immunohistochemical expression profiles and staining distribution in 179 cases

Coordinate expression profiles for cytokeratins 7 and 20 (CK7 and CK20) are useful for distinguishing certain types of adenocarcinomas but use for distinction of primary and secondary mucinous tumors in the ovary is limited due to the existence of a number of tumor types exhibiting overlapping CK7/CK20 immunoprofiles; the use of staining distribution patterns in the distinction of tumors with shared profiles has not been evaluated in detail. We report analysis of both coordinate expression profiles and staining distribution in 179 rigorously classified mucinous tumors in the ovary, including 53 primary tumors [35 atypical proliferative (borderline) mucinous tumors of gastrointestinal type and 18 invasive mucinous carcinomas] and 126 secondary tumors [28 colorectal adenocarcinomas, 54 appendiceal tumors (23 adenocarcinomas, 31 low-grade adenomatous mucinous tumors associated with pseudomyxoma peritonei), 14 pancreatic adenocarcinomas, 8 endocervical adenocarcinomas, 5 gastric adenocarcinomas, 4 gallbladder/biliary tract adenocarcinomas, and 13 adenocarcinomas of unknown primary sites). A CK7+/CK20+ immunoprofile was the most common profile in primary ovarian tumors (74%), upper gastrointestinal tract tumors (78%), and endocervical tumors (88%) but was occasionally observed in lower intestinal tract tumors (colorectal: 11%; appendiceal: 13% of low-grade tumors, 35% of carcinomas). A CK7-/CK20+ immunoprofile was the most common profile in lower intestinal tract tumors (79%) and was uncommon in upper gastrointestinal tract tumors (9%), rarely seen in primary ovarian tumors (4%), and not seen in endocervical tumors. A CK7+/CK20- profile was observed in some primary ovarian (23%), upper gastrointestinal tract (13%), and endocervical tumors (13%) but not in lower intestinal tract tumors. For CK7+ tumors, staining distribution was very frequently diffuse (>50% of tumors cells positive) in primary ovarian, upper gastrointestinal tract, and endocervical tumors, whereas staining distribution was often focal (<50% of tumors cells positive) when present in colorectal and appendiceal carcinomas but not in low-grade appendiceal tumors. For CK20+ tumors, staining distribution was variable but often focal in primary ovarian tumors and nonlower intestinal tract tumors, whereas the pattern was almost always diffuse in lower intestinal tract tumors. Immunohistochemical staining distribution can supplement CK7/CK20 coordinate expression profiles to distinguish subsets of primary ovarian and metastatic lower intestinal tract mucinous tumors having overlapping immunoprofiles but neither coordinate expression profiles nor staining distribution distinguishes primary ovarian tumors from the nonlower intestinal tract metastases.

Immunohistochemistry for estrogen and progesterone receptors in the distinction of primary and metastatic mucinous tumors in the ovary: an analysis of 124 cases

Estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) expression in primary ovarian mucinous tumors and the utility of these markers for distinguishing metastatic mucinous carcinomas in the ovary from primary ovarian mucinous tumors have not been extensively investigated. Immunohistochemical studies were performed on 124 mucinous tumors, including 52 primary ovarian tumors (30 atypical proliferative (borderline) mucinous tumors of gastrointestinal type, 11 atypical proliferative (borderline) mucinous tumors of seromucinous (endocervical-like) type, and 11 invasive mucinous carcinomas of usual (gastrointestinal) type) and 72 metastatic mucinous carcinomas in the ovary (primary sites: colorectum (24), pancreas (13), endocervix (eight), stomach (four), gallbladder/bile duct (four), appendix (four), and unknown (15)). All atypical proliferative mucinous tumors of gastrointestinal type, primary ovarian mucinous carcinomas, and metastatic mucinous carcinomas were negative for ER and PR with the exception of three metastatic endocervical adenocarcinomas which exhibited only weak expression of ER without PR. All atypical proliferative mucinous tumors of seromucinous type expressed ER to some degree and seven had some expression of PR. Immunohistochemical assessment of hormone receptor expression is of no value in distinguishing the common types of primary ovarian mucinous tumors (atypical proliferative mucinous tumors of gastrointestinal type and mucinous carcinomas of usual type) from the vast majority of mucinous carcinomas metastatic to the ovary. The above observations on hormone receptor expression in primary ovarian mucinous tumors support the concept that atypical proliferative (borderline) mucinous tumors of gastrointestinal and seromucinous (endocervical-like) types are distinctive tumors.

Accuracy of frozen section in distinguishing primary ovarian neoplasia from tumors metastatic to the ovary

Frozen section is widely used in the intra-operative assessment of patients with ovarian tumors. The diagnosis of malignancy is usually straightforward but in some cases it may be difficult to distinguish whether tumors are of ovarian origin or represent matastases from other sites. Recently, Seidman and colleagues presented a simple algorithm based on tumor size and unilateral versus bilateral involvement to aid in intra-operative assessment of ovarian mucinous neoplasms. In this study we have reviewed the accuracy of frozen section in distinguishing primary ovarian malignancies from tumors metastatic to the ovaries encountered in two hospitals over a 5-year period. The algorithm was also applied to our cases retrospectively irrespective of histological type. Nine hundred fourteen ovarian frozen sections were performed in the study period including 266 cases with a final diagnosis of malignancy. Thirty-seven malignancies (13.9%) were of metastatic origin (exclusing one lymphoma), 21 of which (58.8%) were correctly identified on frozen section. In 5 additional cases metastatic origin was included in the differential diagnosis while a primary ovarian tumor was favored un 11 cases (29.7%). Application of the algorithm to the metastatic tumors led to correct classification in 26/33 (78.8%) assessable cases. Conversely, 195/228 primary ovarian malignancies were correctly identified intra-operatively but the possibility of extra-ovarian malignancy was considered or not excluded in 33 cases (14.5%). Application of the algorithm to the latter problematic primary ovarian tumors overall was not helpful in distinguishing primary or metastatic origin. However if only low-grade primary adenocarcinomas were considered then 10/12 assessable cases were correctly assigned. In conclusion frozen section is only moderately successful in distinguishing primary ovarian malignancies fron tumors metastatic to the ovaries. The simple algorithm proposed by Seidman and colleagues for assessment of ovarian mucinous tumors is helpful and can be applied to low-grade adenocarcinomas of other histological types.