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Plexiform fibrohistiocytic tumor: a brief review
Altaf Taher1, Chitra Pushpanathan
1Department of Anatomical Pathology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Health Sciences Centre Laboratory, St John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
|July 10, 2007
Summary
Plexiform fibrohistiocytic tumor is a rare, intermediate malignancy often affecting young adults, typically presenting as a slow-growing limb mass. Complete surgical removal is crucial to prevent recurrence, though metastasis is uncommon.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pathology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Plexiform fibrohistiocytic tumor (PFT) is a rare mesenchymal neoplasm of intermediate malignancy.
- First described in 1988, PFT predominantly affects children and young adults, often presenting as a slow-growing, painless mass, typically in the upper limbs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of plexiform fibrohistiocytic tumor.
- To discuss its histological characteristics, growth patterns, and clinical behavior.
Main Methods:
- Histological examination of tumor samples.
- Immunohistochemical staining for specific markers (vimentin, CD68).
- Ultrastructural analysis of tumor cells.
Main Results:
- PFT exhibits multinodular plexiform growth with fibrohistiocytic cytomorphology.
- Three growth patterns are recognized: fibrohistiocytic, fibroblastic, and mixed.
- Tumor cells show uniform vimentin and CD68 immunoreactivity and ultrastructurally resemble myofibroblasts and histiocyte-like cells.
Conclusions:
- Complete surgical resection with wide margins is essential for preventing local recurrence of PFT.
- Long-term follow-up is necessary to monitor for potential nodal or pulmonary metastasis.
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