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Translocation (2;11)(q31;q12) is recurrent in collagenous fibroma (desmoplastic fibroblastoma)

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Abstract

Collagenous fibroma (desmoplastic fibroblastoma) is a rare, benign tumor composed of spindle and stellate-shaped fibroblasts and myofibroblasts in a densely collagenous background. A t(2;11)(q31;q12) has been reported in one case of collagenous fibroma and a rearrangement of the 11q12 breakpoint in a second case. In the present study, we detected a t(2;11) identical to that previously described in a collagenous fibroma arising in the supraclavicular fossa of a 55-year-old man. This finding confirms the nonrandom association of t(2;11)(q31;q12) with collagenous fibroma.

Introduction

Collagenous fibroma (desmoplastic fibroblastoma) is a fibrous soft tissue tumor first described by Evans in 1995 [1]. This benign tumor typically arises in the subcutaneous tissue or skeletal muscle of adults, usually in the fifth or sixth decade. Men are affected four times more commonly than women. Collagenous fibroma has a wide anatomic distribution, and presents as a slowly growing, painless mass, ranging from 1 to 20 cm in maximum dimension [2]. Surgery is the treatment of choice, with no reported tumor recurrences. Histopathologically, collagenous fibroma must be distinguished from desmoid tumor.

Reportedly, only two cases of collagenous fibroma have been subjected to cytogenetic analysis [3]. A cytogenetically abnormal clone involving the 11q12 breakpoint was detected in both of these cases. We describe the cytogenetic findings of an additional case of collagenous fibroma.

Section snippets

Materials and methods

The patient was a 55-year-old man who noted a painless supraclavicular mass while showering. The mass appeared fixed to deep structures without neurologic deficit. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a fusiform mass posterior to the brachial plexus in intimate association with the dome of the right rib cage. The lesion was resected by incising the insertion of the trapezius muscle to provide access to the supraclavicular fossa. Grossly, the tumor was well circumscribed, solid, fibrous, and

Results

The following abnormal clone was detected in 14 of 20 metaphase cells examined: 46,XY,t(1;3)(p31;q21),t(2;11) (q31;q12) (Fig. 2).

Discussion

Collagenous fibroma is a recently defined entity, with fewer than 100 reported cases [1], [2], [3], [6], [7], [8], [9]. The histologic diagnosis rests on recognition of spindle- to stellate-shaped fibroblasts and myofibroblasts embedded in an abundant, amorphous collagenous background. The differential diagnosis includes other bland spindle-cell proliferations, such as fibroma of tendon sheath, desmoid tumor, nodular fasciitis, and extrapleural solitary fibrous tumor.

Only two cases of

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Dr. Warren Sanger for his valuable comments and Patty Cattano for her expert technical assistance. This work was supported in part by grants from John A. Wiebe Children's Health Care Fund, National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute (P30 CA 36727), and the Nebraska State Department of Health (LB595).

References (12)

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