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Angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma: clinicopathological and molecular characterisation with emphasis on variant histomorphology
  1. Yu-Chien Kao1,2,3,
  2. Jui Lan3,4,
  3. Hui-Chun Tai3,5,
  4. Chien-Feng Li3,6,
  5. Kai-Wen Liu4,
  6. Jen-Wei Tsai3,7,
  7. Fu-Min Fang8,
  8. Shih-Chen Yu4,
  9. Hsuan-Ying Huang3,4
  1. 1Department of Pathology, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
  2. 2Department of Pathology, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
  3. 3Taiwan Society of Pathology, Bone and Soft Tissue Study Group, Taiwan, Taiwan
  4. 4Departments of Pathology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
  5. 5Department of Pathology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
  6. 6Department of Pathology, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan
  7. 7Department of Anatomic Pathology, E-Da Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
  8. 8Department of Radiation Oncology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
  1. Correspondence to Dr Hsuan-Ying Huang, Department of Pathology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 123, Ta-Pei Rd., Niao-Sung District, Kaohsiung City 83301, Taiwan; a120600310{at}yahoo.com

Abstract

Aims Angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma (AFH) is histologically typified by nodules of histiocytoid spindle cells with pseudoangiomatoid spaces, fibrous pseudocapsules and lymphocytic cuffs. The principal goal was to expand the spectrum of AFHs through clinicopathological and molecular characterisation.

Methods Thirteen AFHs, including 11 with confirmed hallmark translocation, were reappraised for classic features, reactive osteoclasts, mitoses and stromal, architectural and cytomorphological variations, with CD99, desmin and EMA stained in available cases.

Results Seven male and six female patients ranged in age from 4 to 63 years (median, 13), including 4 older than 20 years. Tumours were located on the extremities (n=6), trunk (n=4) and scalp (n=3). Although fibrous pseudocapsules were observed in all cases, four showed solid histology without pseudoangiomatoid spaces and another one lacked peripheral lymphoid infiltrates. Nuclear pleomorphism was striking in two cases, moderate in seven and absent in four, with osteoclasts seen in two cases. In three AFHs with sclerotic matrix, one exhibited perivascular hyalinisation and nuclear palisading, reminiscent of a schwannoma. In three varyingly myxoid tumours, one closely resembled a myoepithelioma with prominent reticular arrangement of spindle cells in an abundant myxoid stroma. Besides EWSR1 gene rearrangement detected in four cases by fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH), EWSR1-CREB1 fusion was confirmed in nine cases, including a schwannoma-like AFH, and EWSR1-ATF1 fusion detected in a myoepithelioma-like AFH. Immunohistochemically, 56% of AFHs were positive for EMA, 78% for desmin and 100% for CD99.

Conclusions Molecular testing is diagnostic of variant AFHs displaying diverse histomorphological alterations in the architectural patterns, cytomorphology and extracellular matrix.

  • DIAGNOSTICS
  • FISH
  • SOFT TISSUE TUMOURS
  • MOLECULAR PATHOLOGY

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