Angiomyofibroblastoma pathology

Introduction

Angiomyofibroblastoma is a benign soft tissue tumour of the external genitalia.

Histology of angiomyofibroblastoma

Microscopic examination of angiomyofibroblastoma demonstrates a well-circumscribed tumour without a capsule and with variable cellularity. Hypocellular areas are collagenous (figure 1) or myxoid with some small-medium sized vessels. Hypercellular areas, located predominately around the vessels, contain characteristic plump round/oval shaped cells with relatively uniform nuclei without remarkable atypia (figure 2). Occasional multinucleated and binucleated cells may be seen.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Special studies for angiomyofibroblastoma

The angiomyofibroblastoma tumour cells are positive with immunohistochemistry for actin. Oestrogen and progesterone markers may also be positive.

Differential diagnosis of angiomyofibroblastoma pathology

Aggressive angiomyxoma – These are infiltrative tumours and usually much larger (more than 5 cm). Tumours have been described with mixed features of angiomyofibroblastoma and aggressive angiomyxoma, which raises the possibility that these tumours are related.