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Smooth-muscle proliferation in dermatofibromas
1Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco 94143-0506.
The American Journal of Dermatopathology
|April 1, 1994
Summary
Dermatofibromas, skin tumors, can rarely induce smooth muscle growth in the dermis. This study identified three such cases, suggesting an induced reaction rather than a co-occurrence.
Area of Science:
- Dermatopathology
- Surgical Pathology
- Oncology
Background:
- Dermatofibromas are common skin tumors.
- Epithelial changes are known associations with dermatofibromas.
- Mesenchymal proliferations adjacent to dermatofibromas are considered rare.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report and characterize cases of smooth muscle proliferation associated with dermatofibromas.
- To investigate the potential origin and mechanism of smooth muscle induction by dermatofibromas.
Main Methods:
- Histopathological examination of three dermatofibroma cases with adjacent smooth muscle proliferation.
- Hematoxylin and eosin staining to identify smooth muscle.
- Immunohistochemical staining using antisera for muscle-specific actin (HHF-35), desmin, S-100 protein, and Leu-7.
Main Results:
- Three cases of dermatofibroma associated with dermal smooth muscle proliferation were identified.
- Smooth muscle showed characteristic morphology in H&E and distinct staining for muscle markers (HHF-35, desmin).
- Immunophenotype excluded neural or pilar smooth muscle, suggesting vascular origin.
Conclusions:
- Smooth muscle proliferation can be an induced mesenchymal change associated with dermatofibromas.
- The smooth muscle is likely of vascular origin, possibly induced by the dermatofibroma's spindled cells.
- This finding expands the spectrum of reactive changes associated with dermatofibromas.