Penile Myointimoma: A Clinicopathologic Study of 4 Tumors

Int J Surg Pathol. 2023 Aug;31(5):675-679. doi: 10.1177/10668969221117236. Epub 2022 Aug 9.

Abstract

Penile myointimoma is a rare, benign tumor occurring within the corpus spongiosum vasculature of the glans penis. Thus far, there have been twenty-three reported tumors in the literature. We present four additional tumors of this unique myointimal proliferation. Patients ranged in age from 20 to 68 years and presented with a firm mass on the glans penis. All four tumors displayed distinctive morphologic features consisting of a myointimal proliferation with plexiform architecture of bland myofibroblastic cells in a myxoid background in the corpus spongiosum vasculature. Characteristic cytoplasmic immunoreactivity of lesional cells with smooth muscle actin in addition to a desmin positive collarette of native vessel smooth muscle was seen in all four tumors. No disease was reported in any of the patients at last clinical follow-up (9 months to 15 years) after biopsy or excision. Myointimoma is part of a rare group of mesenchymal tumors that has been recently classified by its distinctive location, morphology, and immunohistochemical reactivity. For any nodular, spindle cell lesion of the corpus spongiosum, myointimoma should be included in the differential diagnosis given its unique characteristics and favorable clinical outcome.

Keywords: corpus spongiosum; glans penis; myointimoma; penile tumor; soft tissue tumor.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms, Connective and Soft Tissue*
  • Penile Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Penile Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Penile Neoplasms* / surgery
  • Penis / pathology
  • Penis / surgery
  • Vascular Neoplasms*
  • Young Adult