Superficial desmoplastic fibroblastoma (collagenous fibroma): Clinicopathologic study of 11 cases

BACKGROUND

Desmoplastic fibroblastoma (collagenous fibroma) is a rare soft tissue tumor that usually arises in the subcutis or skeletal muscle. Cases superficial to fascia are unusual and can cause diagnostic difficulty. We present 11 cases of superficial desmoplastic fibroblastoma involving a wide anatomic distribution.

METHODS

Archives were searched using the term "desmoplastic fibroblastoma" over a 10-year period (2012-2022). Cases superficial to fascia were retrieved, and available clinicopathologic features were recorded. Only cases involving the dermis were included.

RESULTS

Eleven cases were identified, all of which were received in consultation. Tumors involved the head and neck (2), lower extremity (2), back (2), foot (1), shoulder (1), axilla (1), hand (1), and breast (1). Each consisted of a hypocellular proliferation of bland stellate to spindled fibroblasts set in a collagenous to focally myxoid stroma. The immunohistochemical stains available for review demonstrated SMA positivity (4/7) and negative immunoreactivity for CD34 (0/6), EMA (0/3), desmin (0/3), and S100 (0/7).

CONCLUSIONS

Desmoplastic fibroblastoma may present superficially in the dermis to subcutis, posing a potential source of diagnostic difficulty. Recognition of the characteristic histopathologic features of desmoplastic fibroblastoma with judicial use of immunohistochemical stains should allow for accurate diagnosis.

Desmoplastic Fibroblastoma of the Supraclavicular Region: A Rare Soft-Tissue Tumor With a Review from the Last Decade

Desmoplastic fibroblastoma (DF) is primarily a sporadic, rare, benign, soft-tissue tumor with an excellent prognosis and no reported recurrence to date. DF presents as a painless, slow-growing mass with symptoms due to its mass effect. We report a case of a middle-aged man presenting with a right supraclavicular mass and numbness of the right arm, eventually diagnosed as DF. After confirming the diagnosis with imaging and biopsy studies, the tumor was successfully excised using a transcervical approach with no complication or recurrence detected during the 2-year follow-up after surgery. A review of the relevant literature is presented regarding the presentation, diagnosis, and outcomes of published case reports of DF coinciding with those of our discussed case. This case report adds to the pool of uncommon DF cases mainly for its unique symptoms and location. It also highlights the necessity of health education related to painless masses that might be attributed as trivial in the community.

An Update on Clinicopathological, Imaging and Genetic Features of Desmoplastic Fibroblastoma (Collagenous Fibroma)

Desmoplastic fibroblastoma (also known as collagenous fibroma) is an uncommon benign fibroblastic/myofibroblastic neoplasm that primarily arises in the subcutaneous tissue of upper extremity. Magnetic resonance imaging reveals a well-defined mass in intimate association with dense connective tissue and prominent low signal intensity on all pulse sequences. Peripheral and septal enhancement is usually seen after intravenous contrast. Histologically, the lesion is paucicellular and consists of spindle to stellate-shaped cells embedded in a collagenous or myxocollagenous stroma with low vascularity. Diffuse and strong nuclear immunoreactivity for FOS-like antigen 1 seems to be characteristic of desmoplastic fibroblastoma. Cytogenetic studies have demonstrated the presence of 11q12 rearrangements and an identical t(2;11)(q31;q12) translocation. This review provides an updated overview of the clinical, radiological, histological, cytogenetic and molecular genetic features of desmoplastic fibroblastoma and discusses the relationship to fibroma of tendon sheath.

Multimodal radiological imaging of collagenous fibroma arising from the subacromial region in a patient with osteosarcoma: A case report

Collagenous fibroma arising from the subacromial region is extremely rare. It is important to distinguish collagenous fibroma from other fibrous tumors including desmoid tumors, to differentiate between the prognoses and management strategies, including surgical treatment. The present case report describes the case of a 42-year-old man with a collagenous fibroma of the subacromial region. He received a follow-up examination following treatment for osteosarcoma. Positron emission tomography (PET) scans used to assess for metastatic lesions indicated uptake in his left shoulder. The maximum standardized uptake value was 2.4. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated iso-intensity to muscle on T1-weighted images and iso-intensity with slightly high intensity on T2-weighted images. Post-contrast fat-suppressed magnetic resonance images indicated slightly heterogeneous enhancement of the lesion. There were no notable results from X-rays, bone scintigraphy and thallium-201 scintigraphy. Histological examination revealed collagenous fibroma. To the best of our knowledge, the present case is only the second incidence of collagenous fibroma arising from the subacromial region, and the first description of thallium-201 scintigraphy and PET scans in collagenous fibroma. The multimodal radiological data of this case may be useful for assisting in the differentiation of fibrous tumor types, including collagenous fibroma.

Dermal desmoplastic fibroblastoma presenting as a large sacral mass

Desmoplastic fibroblastoma (collagenous fibroma) is a rare and recently recognised benign tumour. Most desmoplastic fibroblastomas arise in the subcutaneous tissue or skeletal muscle. Involvement of the dermis is extremely rare. We describe an unusual case of dermal desmoplastic fibroblastoma presenting as a large sacral mass in a 16-year-old male. An awareness of this entity is necessary to avoid confusion with other benign and malignant soft tissue neoplasms.

Collagenous fibroma of the right coronary cusp: a case report and literature review

Collagenous fibroma (desmoplastic fibroblastoma) is a rare benign tumor. This type of tumor mostly occurs in the subcutaneous tissues or skeletal muscle, and to the best of our knowledge, there is no unique case report of it occurring in the cardiac valves. This is the first description of collagenous fibroma in a human heart.

Fibroma of tendon sheath with 11q rearrangements

Fibroma of tendon sheath is an uncommon, benign fibroblastic tumor that usually occurs in the upper extremities of young and middle-aged adults. A clonal chromosomal aberration, t(2;11)(q31-32;q12), has been described in one case. We herein present a unique cytogenetic finding of fibroma of tendon sheath arising in the first web space of the right hand of a 38-year-old woman. Physical examination showed a 3.5-cm, firm, mobile, non-tender mass. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a well-defined soft tissue mass with iso- to slightly-low signal intensity relative to skeletal muscle on both T1- and T2-weighted sequences. Contrast-enhanced T1-weighted sequences demonstrated moderate patchy enhancement of the mass. A fibroma or giant cell tumor of tendon sheath was suggested, and the lesion was marginally excised. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of fibroma of tendon sheath. Cytogenetic analysis revealed a novel t(9;11)(p24;q13-14) translocation among other karyotypic abnormalities. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient is doing well without local recurrence two months after surgery. To the best of our knowledge, this is only the second report of fibroma of tendon sheath with clonal chromosomal abnormalities.

Desmoplastic (collagenous) fibroma of the femur: A case report and review of the literature

Desmoplastic fibroma is a rare, benign soft-tissue tumor composed of spindled and stellate-shaped cells that are embedded in a dense collagenous stroma. Clinically, desmoplastic fibroma presents as a firm, mobile, slow-growing mass that is located in the subcutaneous tissue or near the deep aspect of the skeletal muscles. The present study describes the case of a 66-year-old female who presented with an inactive, firm, slightly tender mass in the lower medial segment of the right femur. An open biopsy was performed and the result of the pathological examination indicated a desmoplastic fibroma. The patient underwent a radical resection of the tumor and the accompanying bone, which was then reimplanted using devitalized tumor bone, self-ilium graft and homologous allograft bone transplantation, with an internal fixation by locking the compression plate. This was followed by a reconstruction of the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments and the lateral and medial collateral ligaments. There was no evidence of local recurrence at five years post-surgery.

Desmoplastic fibroblastoma presenting as a parotid tumour: a case report and review of the literature

Desmoplastic fibroblastomas (DFs) are rare fibrous soft tissue tumours that usually arise in subcutaneous tissue or skeletal muscle in a variety of anatomical sites. These lesions most frequently present as painless, slow-growing mobile masses. A case of DF is described in a 47-year-old man who presented with a painless right parotid mass of 2 months duration. At surgery, the lesion was attached to the tail of the right parotid gland. Histopathological examination demonstrated a fibrous lesion comprising spindled and stellate shaped fibroblasts with focal myxoid stromal change. The features were consistent with a DF. This report documents a rare parotid lesion which may mimic other more common parotid gland neoplasms.

Collagenous fibroma (desmoplastic fibroblastoma) of the oral cavity

Collagenous fibroma (desmoplastic fibroblastoma) is a distinctive yet uncommon fibrous soft tissue tumor. These tumors are rather nondescript in their morphological appearance and have been diagnosed as fibromas or some other benign mesenchymal lesions for years. The most common sites are the upper extremities, followed by the lower extremities. Rare lesions arise in the head and neck region. We report a rare case in the oral cavity and present its unique histopathological features (central fat entrapment) besides others, and diffusely strong vimentin immunopositivity.

Desmoplastic fibroblastoma (collagenous fibroma): a case identified in the buccal mucosa

Desmoplastic fibroblastoma is a rare, benign, soft tissue tumor affecting mainly the subcutaneous and muscle tissue. Only five cases identified in the oral cavity have been reported in prior literature. This article presents a case report of a 56-year-old man, with no previous history of trauma, who presented a slow-growing mass in the buccal mucosa. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry staining studies were performed, and a diagnosis of the desmoplastic fibroblastoma was made. The patient has been disease-free for one year.