Calcifying fibrous tumor: an unrecognized IgG4--related disease?

Rock on the Heart: A Case of Calcifying Fibrous Tumor Arising From the Pericardium and Literature Review

Calcifying fibrous tumors are rare benign fibrous tumors that rarely occur in the heart. We report a 33-year-old woman who was found to have a benign pericardial tumor on health checkup, which was highly suspected to be a teratoma in clinical and imaging examination. After cardiac tumor resection, histopathological features showed scattered foci of psammoma bodies or calcification among collagenized fibrous connective tissues and foci of inflammatory cell infiltration in the interstitium. The pathological diagnosis was a calcifying fibrous tumor.

A Ball in the Belly: Calcifying Fibrous Pseudotumor of Abdominal Cavity – A Rare Entity

Calcifying fibrous pseudotumor is a rare clinically benign tumor first reported by Rosenthal and Abdul-Karim in 1988. Although rare, the tumor occurs most commonly in children and adolescents. Here we present a case of a 47-year-old male who reported to our institution with vague complaints of intermittent abdominal discomfort which was of mild to severe intensity, diffuse in presentation for a duration of 6 months. The pain was associated with subjective feeling of a “Wandering Lump” in the lower abdomen. This case report presents how this entity was managed along with review of literature. The novelty in this case report was it was a very peculiar case in the sense of its vague presentation, as the patient complained that he feels a lump and discomfort in right lower quadrant of his abdomen in the morning which moves up in the epigastric region; by evening, it comes to lie in the right lower quadrant of abdomen. So, anybody can discard this vague presentation, but in this case, we showed very high index of suspicion and evaluated him. The laparotomy confirmed its vague but true presentation as the lump was actually a freely lying ball which was wandering freely in the abdomen probably by peristalsis and patient’s routine activities. Surgical specialists are therefore advised never to miss such vague presentations, and index of suspicion has to be kept at all times.

[Mesenchymal tumors and tumor-like lesions of the gastrointestinal tract: an overview]

Mesenchymal tumors and tumor-like lesions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract are uncommon. They vary from reactive tumefactive lesions and benign neoplasms to highly aggressive sarcomas. Among them, GI stromal tumors (GISTs) are most common, followed, with less frequency, by smooth muscle and neurogenic tumors. The major challenge resides in correctly identifying GISTs and providing a comprehensive report (including risk assessment and genotyping) that represents the basis for an optimized surgical-oncological treatment and/or adjuvant therapy. On the other hand, the challenge of benign lesions is to find a good name (well understandable and reproducible diagnostic term) that helps avoid diagnostic ambiguity and prognostic uncertainty so that overprognostication and overtreatment can be prevented. Moreover, several recently described genetically defined benign and malignant entities need be correctly diagnosed due to their special "targeted" therapeutic options and to further characterize their clinicopathological and biological properties in the future. These recent entities include aggressive epithelioid inflammatory myofibroblastic sarcoma (ALK-RANBP2-driven), malignant gastrointestinal neuroectodermal tumor (EWSR1-ATF1/CREB-related), NTRK-rearranged neoplasms, and, most recently, colorectal NUTM1-rearranged sarcomas. This review highlights the major clinicopathological features of gastrointestinal mesenchymal lesions in light of recent developments.

OUP accepted manuscript

Calcified fibrous tumor (CFT) is a rare benign tumor of mesenchymal origin. Between 1988 and 2019, a total of 272 CFT cases were reported. CFTs can be seen in all anatomical regions with soft tissue. Histologically, mononuclear inflammatory infiltrates and the presence of psammomatous calcification in dense hyalinized collagen are characteristic features of the tumor. Currently, if the tumor is located in only one focus, surgical removal is recommended. Although CFT is a benign tumor, it may cause complications. Diagnosis is often difficult due to the confusion of tumor findings with many diseases. We present a patient with CFT, whose omental lesions were detected on abdominal computed tomography, and the diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological examination.

Calcifying fibrous tumor of the gastrointestinal tract: A clinicopathologic review and update

Calcifying fibrous tumor (CFT) is a rare mesenchymal lesion that has been documented throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Gastrointestinal CFTs may occur at virtually any age, with a predilection for adults and for females. They occur most commonly in the stomach and the small and large intestines. CFTs are most often found incidentally, cured by local resection, and have a low risk of recurrence. Histology shows three characteristic features: Spindle cell proliferations within a densely hyalinized stroma, scattered calcifications, and lymphoplasmacytic inflammation. CFTs are immunoreactive for CD34, vimentin and factor XIIIa, helping to distinguish them from other benign mesenchymal neoplasms. The differential diagnosis of CFTs includes sclerosing gastrointestinal stromal tumor, leiomyoma, schwannoma, solitary fibrous tumor, inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, plexiform fibromyxoma, fibromatosis, sclerosing mesenteritis, and reactive nodular fibrous pseudotumor. The pathogenesis of CFTs remains unclear, but some have hypothesized that they may be linked to IgG4-related disease, inflammatory myofibroblastic lesions, hyaline vascular type Castleman disease, sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation of the spleen, or trauma.

Calcifying fibrous tumour: An IgG4-related disease or not?

Calcifying fibrous tumour (CFT) has some of the histopathological features, such as abundant plasma cells and stromal fibrosis, that are exhibited by IgG4-related diseases (IgG4-RD). The possible role of IgG4-positive plasma cells in calcifying fibrous tumour was investigated. The aim of this study was to determine any potential relationship between IgG4-RD and CFT. Thirteen cases with a total of 16 CFTs were reviewed. Lesion samples were immunostained with anti-IgG4 and anti-IgG antibodies. The number of IgG4-positive and IgG-positive plasma cells (IgG + PC) and their ratios were estimated. Plasma cells were found in all tumours. IgG4-positive plasma cells ranged from 0 to 71 per high-power field (HPF; mean 17.8/HPF), and IgG + PC ranged from 2 to 93/HPF (mean 42.6/HPF). The IgG4/IgG ratio ranged from 0% to 80% (mean 29%). There were seven tumours with the ratio of IgG4/IgG + PC that exceeded 40%. Various degrees of stromal fibrosis were present in eight tumours. All tumours have variable calcification. The histopathological features of CFT were found to be similar to those of IgG4-RD. Some CFT also showed a high number of IgG4-positive plasma cells, and the ratio of IgG4/IgG + PC exceeded 40%, most notably in patients with concomitant inflammatory or autoimmune disease. The long-term follow-up showed no evidence of IgG4-RD in any of these patients. Our findings suggest that while CFT overlaps morphologically with IgG4-RD, it probably should not be classified as an IgG4-RD.

Calcifying fibrous pseudotumor in the pelvic cavity: A case report and review of the literature

Calcifying fibrous pseudotumors (CFPs) are rare benign lesions mostly occurring in the limbs, necks and gastrointestinal tracts of young adults. In the present study, we report the first known case of a pelvic CFP in China in a 67-year-old male patient. The solitary tumor had an extremely regular shape and was in the vicinity of the sigmoid colon. Surgical resection was performed and the tumor was histologically diagnosed as CFP. We reviewed 64 cases of CFPs and discussed the clinical features of this disease in China and other countries. We found that the CFPs were most common in patients aged 18-60 and often had no obvious symptoms. They were immunoreactive for vimentin and factor XIIIa, while negative for CD117 and S100. In China, CFPs were mostly identified in the stomach, possibly associated with Chinese eating. The pathogenesis of this disease remains unclear. More research is needed to confirm the present results.

Calcifying Fibrous Tumor of the Neck

A 19 year old otherwise healthy male presented with a history of acute onset left neck pain with subsequent swelling and development of a left neck mass that progressively enlarged over a two month period. Imaging studies revealed a solid heterogeneous mass with prominent calcifications displacing normal structures. The lesion was resected via transcervical approach and a diagnosis of calcifying fibrous tumor (CFT) was rendered. The clinical, radiographic, histologic and immunophenotypic features of CFT are discussed. CFT is a rare benign soft tissue tumor with distinctive histologic findings. They present as well-circumscribed but unencapsulated, paucicellular lesions consisting of hyalinized fibrous tissue with chronic lymphoplasmacytic inflammation and variable amounts of both psammomatous and dystrophic calcifications distributed throughout. They are found in numerous locations throughout the body, most often in the gastrointestinal tract or subcutaneous soft tissue, but are relatively uncommon in the neck. This article describes a case of CFT which presented as an enlarging neck mass in a young male.

Calcifying fibrous tumor originating from the gastrohepatic ligament that mimicked a gastric submucosal tumor: A case report

BACKGROUND

Calcifying fibrous tumor (CFT) is a rare, benign soft tissue tumor usually occurring in children or young adults. Gastrohepatic ligament CFT with adhesion to the stomach is very rare. We present a case here.

CASE SUMMARY

A 25-year-old woman visited our hospital with abdominal pain. Computed tomography and endoscopy were performed, and a gastric submucosal tumor (SMT) with a size of 6.7 cm × 2.7 cm was detected, so endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine needle biopsy was performed. The tumor was not diagnosed histologically, so surgical resection was planned and performed. The histopathologically confirmed mass size was 6.5 cm × 4.0 cm × 1.0 cm, and a calcified fibrous tumor that originated at the gastrohepatic ligament and adhered to the lesser curvature of the gastric antrum was identified.

CONCLUSION

Gastrohepatic ligament CFT is a very rare benign tumor. Since this disease may be confused with gastric SMT, the possibility of CFT should be kept in mind during clinical assessment of this disease.

Clinicopathologic Study of Calcifying Fibrous Tumor Emphasizing Different Anatomical Distribution and Favorable Prognosis

Aims

Calcifying fibrous tumor (CFT) is a very rare begin fibroblastic tumor featuring a widely anatomical distribution and may mimic various spindle cell tumors. Misdiagnosis and hence mistreatment are likely caused due to unfamiliarity to clinicians or junior pathologists. We collected a relatively large series of CFTs in our institution aiming at further summarizing their clinicopathologic features in Chinese patients and discussing the diagnosis and differential diagnosis in clinical practice.

Methods

Clinicopathologic data of 22 CFTs were retrospectively reviewed. Histologic features were reevaluated and summarized. Immunostaining markers include CD34, SMA, Desmin, keratin, S100, ALK1, CD117, IgG, IgG4, and Ki-67. Follow-up of all cases was performed.

Results

22 CFTs include gastric (n=8), pulmonary (n=2), hepatic (n=2), cervical (n=1), appendiceal (n=1), esophageal (n=1), retroperitoneal (n=1), intra-abdominal (n=1), diaphragmatic (n=1), spermatic cord and scrotum (n=1), anconeal (n=1), mesenteric (n=1), and omental (n=1) lesions. Coexisting hepatocellular carcinoma, pancreatic carcinoma, pheochromocytoma, Castleman disease, and leiomyoma of the uterus and other metabolic or functional disorders were also appreciated. CFT histologically features spindle cells embedded dense hyalinized stroma with scattered psammomatous calcifications and lymphoplasmacytic infiltration and immunohistochemically for CD34. None of any individuals die of CFT per se.

Conclusion

Our study discloses that CFT is a bona fide benign fibroblastic lesion, regardless of its developing location. Involvement of digestive tract seems much more common in the Chinese population. Awareness of the clinicopathologic characteristics of this rare entity and its mimickers contribute to avoiding misdiagnosis and mistreatment in clinical practice.

Ultrasonographic imaging of calcifying fibrous tumor of cervical esophagus: A case report

RATIONALE

Calcifying fibrous tumor (CFT) is a rare benign mesenchymal tumor characterized by cytologically benign fibroblasts that produce abundant collagen with scattered lymphocytes, plasma cells, and psammomatous or dystrophic calcifications.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 37 years old women was initially diagnosed thyroid nodule in local hospital. She was referred to receive microwave ablation of the nodule in our hospital. The patient was in good health with occasional foreign body sensation in the neck. Routine laboratory examination was normal.

DIAGNOSIS

The lesion was suspected benign and originating from the esophagus rather than the thyroid gland by conventional ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound in our hospital and was finally proved to be CFT by pathology.

INTERVENTIONS

The lesion was surgically removed.

OUTCOMES

The patient recovered well and was followed up for 2 years without recurrence.

LESSONS

Although imaging diagnosis of CFT is difficult, the findings of clear border, coarse calcification on conventional ultrasound and peripheral hypoenhancement without central enhancement on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), together with real-time evaluation of the relationship between the tumor and esophagus help to distinguish CFT of cervical esophagus from other lesions in the neck.

The Diagnosis of Pleural Tumors Other Than Mesothelioma

CONTEXT

- Pleural pathology has been dominated by discussions relating to the diagnosis, prognosis, etiology, and management of malignant mesothelioma. However, there exists a diverse group of other neoplasms that involve the pleura; the most common by far is metastatic carcinoma, usually of pulmonary origin. Other metastatic tumors of varied histogenesis do occur but are less common. Primary pleural neoplasms other than diffuse malignant mesothelioma are either uncommon or rare and have received less attention.

OBJECTIVE

- To provide a review of those diverse tumors that can involve the pleura other than mesothelioma in order to facilitate their accurate diagnosis.

DATA SOURCES

- Review of relevant literature published via PubMed and other search engines.

CONCLUSIONS

- A wide variety of tumors can involve the pleura. In most cases, the approach of considering the morphologic features with appropriate immunohistochemistry, in the correct clinical context, allows for a confident diagnosis. For a number of those soft tissue tumors that are well recognized in the pleura, such as solitary fibrous tumor, desmoid-type fibromatosis, synovial sarcoma, and epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, novel markers now exist based on an understanding of the individual tumors' molecular characteristics. Primary pleural lymphomas are rare with poor prognosis. They represent localized specific diffuse large B-cell lymphomas, with either post-germinal center B-cell or plasma cell lineage, arising in the context of either immunodeficiency or immune sequestration and with viral infection.

Calcifying fibrous tumor of the clivus presenting in an adult

Calcifying fibrous tumor is a benign fibrous tumor. It rarely occurs in the clivus. The present study describes a case of a 56-year-old female, who was admitted to Taihe Hospital with dizziness not accompanied with headache for 2 months. Brain computed tomography examination revealed a well-defined, partially calcified lytic-expansile lesion in the clivus, which corresponded to an enhancing mass on contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. The patient underwent endoscopic resection. Subsequent pathologic examination of the resected tissue confirmed that the tumor was calcifying fibrous tumor. The patient was followed up for 3 months after operation without recurrence or metastasis.

Calcifying fibrous tumor of the terminal ileum mesentery: Case report

RATIONALE

Calcifying fibrous tumors ("CFT") are recognized as extremely rare mesenchymal tumors with benign biological behavior and low rates of recurrence are seen after removal. The first case of a CFT was reported in 1988 as a possibly inflammatory triggered pseudotumor in deep soft tissue of children. Histologically, the tumor is typically composed of dense hyalinized collagen with paucicellular infiltration of lymphocytes and fibroblasts as well as psammomatous or dystrophic calcifications. It can affect soft tissue in very different anatomical locations, also intrathoracic and intra-abdominal, mimicking various different diagnoses. The etiology is understood to be unclear. Asymptomatic CFTs can be found incidentally on medical images.

PATIENT CONCERNS

We present the case of a calcifying tumorous lesion found incidentally in the mesentery of the terminal ileum of a 34-year-old male patient in February 2016 undergoing a computed tomography for a urinary tract infection.

DIAGNOSIS

Histopathological and immunhistochemical examination after surgery revealed a CFT.

INTERVENTIONS

Our patient underwent lower abdominal median laparotomy for tumorectomy.

OUTCOMES

Two years after surgery the patient is free of a recurrence.

LESSIONS

We add another case of intra-abdominal CFT to medical literature to provide more information about this very seldom tumor. While the etiology of CFT should be further investigated, diagnosis and therapy seem clarified. CFT should be kept in mind as a rare differential diagnosis of calcifying tumors also in the abdominal cavity. Immunohistological work-up is important for finding the diagnosis and may also help solving pathogenetical questions.

IgG4-Associated Adrenalitis-a Case Report

A 67-year-old man was adrenalectomized due to a tumor measuring 100 mm. Specimens revealed an inflammation with slight fibrosis and moderate infiltrates of lymphocytes and plasmacytes with immunoreactivity for IgG and IgG4 resulting in the diagnosis of an active IgG4-associated adrenalitis. To our knowledge, this is the first reported active adrenalitis of this type. It should be the precursor lesion of the adrenal calcifying fibrous tumor that was reported once before.

Gastrointestinal manifestation of immunoglobulin G4-related disease: clarification through a multicenter survey

BACKGROUND

Several reports on immunoglobulin (Ig)G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) with gastrointestinal involvement (IgG4-related gastrointestinal disease; IgG4-GID) have been published, although this entity has not been fully established clinicopathologically. Thus, we carried out a multicenter survey.

METHODS

Patients with possible IgG4-GID who underwent resection were collected. Histologic slides were reevaluated, and eight cases with diffuse lymphoplasmacytic infiltration but without numerous neutrophils, granulations or epithelioid granulomas were further analyzed.

RESULTS

Overall, the IgG4 counts (87-345/high-power field) and IgG4/IgG-positive ratio were high (44-115%). The demographic findings included advanced age among the patients (55-80 years) and male preponderance (six cases). Six lesions (five gastric, one esophageal), consisting of lymphoplasmacytic infiltration with neural involvement in the muscularis propria and/or bottom-heavy plasmacytosis in the gastric mucosa, were histologically regarded as highly suggestive of IgG4-RD. Storiform fibrosis and obliterative phlebitis were found in two cases, and the former gave rise to a 7-cm-sized inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) in one case. Ulceration and carcinoma co-existed in three and two lesions, respectively. All the patients had other organ involvement (OOI), and serum IgG4 levels were markedly elevated (four of five patients). The remaining two cases with gastric IPTs featuring reactive nodular fibrous pseudotumor or nodular lymphoid hyperplasia were regarded as possible cases of IgG4-RD because of the histologic findings and lack of OOI.

CONCLUSIONS

IgG4-GID is found in the setting of IgG4-RD, often with ulceration or cancer. Characteristic histologic findings are observed in the muscularis propria and gastric mucosa. Cases with IPT may be heterogeneous, and there may be mimickers of IgG4-GID.

Clinicopathologic study of calcifying fibrous tumor of the gastrointestinal tract: a case series

Calcifying fibrous tumor (CFT) is a rare benign mesenchymal lesion known to arise at multiple body sites that may clinically mimic other more aggressive lesions in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. In this study we describe the clinicopathologic findings of 28 GI tract CFTs. Tumors predominantly arose in middle-aged adults with a slight female predominance. The most commonly involved sites were small bowel and colon, followed by stomach and appendix. Tumors ranged from 0.3 to 9.3 cm (median 1.4 cm), and submucosa was the most commonly involved layer. All tumors were well circumscribed and unencapsulated. Microscopically, tumors were hypocellular and composed of spindle cells with abundant, haphazardly arranged hyalinized collagen. No necrosis and less than one mitosis per 10 HPF were identified in all cases. Calcification was present in most (81%) of the cases. All cases had lymphoplasmacytic inflammatory infiltrates either scattered throughout the lesion with occasional perivascular conglomeration or in the form of lymphoid aggregates. A lymphoplasmacytic cuff was usually present (81%). Immunostains showed variable CD34 immunoreactivity and variable numbers of IgG4-positive plasma cells. The lesional cells were negative for DOG-1, ALK-1, S100, C-kit, Sox10, Melan A, HMB45, desmin, CK7, and CK20, and showed cytoplasmic staining for β-catenin. Follow-up information was available in 5 cases with no recurrences reported to date (mean follow-up, 3 years). CFT is a rare benign tumor that can occur in part of the GI tract and should be distinguished from other mesenchymal tumors due to its low risk of recurrence.

Imaging findings of gastric calcifying fibrous tumour

Calcifying fibrous tumours (CFTs) are rare benign lesions that usually affect the soft tissues, the mesentery and the peritoneum. Gastric CFT is particularly rare. Here, we report a CFT found incidentally in a 31-year-old male. The mass was well circumscribed and showed partial calcification on the CT scan, with dark signal intensity seen on T2 weighted MRI. To the best of our knowledge, there is very limited published information concerning imaging findings of CFTs. We discuss the CT scan and MRI findings of this patient, which can be considered typical for gastric CFT, and present a review of the limited literature available.

Calcifying Fibrous Tumor: Review of 157 Patients Reported in International Literature

Calcifying fibrous tumor (CFT) is a benign lesion characterized by its specific histological findings and is found as solitary or multiple lesions in several locations of the human body. The aim of the present systematic review is to give a detailed account of all reported cases of CFT in the literature and to analyze the available data, to completely characterize the entity from epidemiological, medical, and surgical aspects.A bibliographic research was performed from 1988 until 2015. A database with the patients' characteristics was made, including sex, age, location of the tumor, symptoms, symptoms duration, size of the tumor, diagnostic methods, treatment, metastasis, and follow-up.A total of 104 articles were identified, reporting 157 cases of CFT. Mean age of patients was 33.58 years and the ratio between men and women was 1:1.27. The most common locations of CFT were stomach (18%), small intestine (8.7%), pleura (9.9%), mesentery (5%), and peritoneum (6.8%). Mean diameter of the tumor was estimated 4.6 cm. The correlations proceeded showed that as age increases, size decreases (P = 0.001) and that the tumor is larger in females (P = 0.027). Kruskal-Wallis test showed that the larger tumors appear in the neck and adrenal gland (P = 0.001). The percentage of asymptomatic patients was 30.57%. Computed tomography and biopsy were the most common tests for the diagnosis of CFT. Open surgical procedure was performed in the majority of cases. The median hospitalization was 6.06 days and the mean follow-up period was 29.97 months. Recurrences were mentioned in 10 of 96 patients with available data. No deaths owing to CFT were mentioned in the literature.CFT should be included in the differential diagnosis of enlarging mass revealed by clinical or imaging examination either incidentally or after specific acute or chronic symptomatology.