Adenofibromatous Solitary Fibrous Tumor: An Unusual Morphologic Variant Occurring in the Sinonasal Tract

Head Neck Pathol. 2023 Mar;17(1):165-171. doi: 10.1007/s12105-022-01490-1. Epub 2022 Sep 27.

Abstract

Background: Solitary fibrous tumor can exhibit a broad morphologic spectrum, such as presence of epithelioid tumor cells, adipose cells and multinucleated giant cells. This report describes an unusual morphologic variant characterized by adenofibromatous features, all occurring in the sinonasal region.

Methods: Four cases of the adenofibromatous variant of solitary fibrous tumor were retrieved from the surgical pathology and consultation files in Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong. Histologic examination, immunohistochemical study and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were performed.

Results: The patients were adults who presented with an obstructive mass of the nasal septum, nasal cavity or nasolacrimal sac. Histologic examination showed a circumscribed biphasic tumor with intermingling of glandular structures and spindle cells, reminiscent of mammary fibroadenoma. Bland-looking spindle cells formed short, irregularly oriented fascicles, admixed with variable amount of collagen fibers. The glandular component comprised ducts and seromucinous acini with a lobular architecture, indicating that it represented exuberant hyperplasia of indigenous glands rather than part of the neoplastic process. Demonstration of CD34 and STAT6 immunoreactivity in the spindle cells and NAB2::STAT6 gene fusion by polymerase chain reaction supports the diagnosis of solitary fibrous tumor.

Conclusion: This study reports four cases of sinonasal solitary fibrous tumor with adenofibromatous features, furthermore expanding the morphologic spectrum of this tumor.

Keywords: Adenofibromatous variant; STAT6; Sinonasal tumor; Solitary fibrous tumor.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Gene Fusion
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms*
  • Hemangiopericytoma* / genetics
  • Humans
  • Paranasal Sinuses* / pathology
  • Solitary Fibrous Tumors* / genetics
  • Solitary Fibrous Tumors* / pathology

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor