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Updated: Feb 3, 2026
09:15
Optimization, Design and Avoiding Pitfalls in Manual Multiplex Fluorescent Immunohistochemistry
Published on: July 26, 2019
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Potential Diagnostic Pitfalls in Evaluating Immunohistochemistry for Cervical Myofibroblastomas
Sharon Song1, Amy Ziober, Kumarasen Cooper
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (S.S., A.Z., K.C.).
Summary
Cervicovaginal myofibroblastoma (CVM) is a rare tumor. While immunohistochemistry (IHC) for desmin, CD34, and Rb is useful, morphology is key, as IHC can be misleading in diagnosing CVM.
Area of Science:
- Gynecologic Pathology
- Surgical Pathology
- Oncology
Background:
- Cervicovaginal myofibroblastoma (CVM) is a rare benign mesenchymal tumor.
- CVM is characterized by chromosomal loss of 13q14, involving the RB1 gene.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of immunohistochemistry (IHC) for desmin, CD34, and Rb in CVM.
- To determine the frequency of CVM among cervical polyps.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of cervical polyps diagnosed between July 2016 and July 2017.
- Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for desmin, CD34, and Rb was performed on cases with myofibroblastic differentiation.
- Rb nuclear staining was graded, with intact endothelial cell staining as a positive control.
Main Results:
- Of 62 cases evaluated by IHC, 98.4% were positive for desmin and CD34.
- The majority of these cases (86.9%) showed Rb deficiency (grade 0 staining).
- Morphologically and immunohistochemically, 7 out of 175 cases (4%) were confirmed as CVM.
Conclusions:
- Cervicovaginal myofibroblastoma (CVM) is a rare entity, accounting for 4% of cervical polyps.
- Morphology remains the primary diagnostic method for CVM.
- Over-reliance on IHC can be a diagnostic pitfall, as the typical IHC profile (desmin+, CD34+, Rb deficient) is seen in most myofibroblastic lesions, not exclusively CVM.
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