Identifying the uncommon solitary fibrous tumour in a rare location - A case report

The authors describe a case work up of an unusual natal cleft soft tissue tumour which eventually was concluded as solitary fibrous tumour. Solitary fibrous tumour is an uncommon fibroblastic tumour which commonly presents in pleural region and very rarely in extrapleural location such as natal cleft. Accurate identification of this tumour, considering the indeterminate nature of the tumour irrespective of the location, avoided misdiagnosis and played a vital role in follow up management of the patient.

43 year old female patient presented with a painless lump in the natal cleft region for a short duration of 7 months with no other significant medical or surgical or family or psychosocial history. She was not on any regular medications.

Due to unusual location of the tumour broad range of differential diagnosis including benign and malignant entities were discussed based on histological findings and immunophenotyping. Mammary type myofibroblastoma, glomus tumour, clear cell renal cell carcinoma and clear cell sarcoma of soft tissue were few to note. STAT6 immunohistochemical stain played a crucial role in unravelling this case. Due to gradual increase in size of the lump complete surgical excision was performed with no local recurrence of the tumour.

It is important to recognise this rare mesenchymal tumour with intermediate malignant potential occurring at uncommon natal cleft region for which complete surgical enucleation is curative.