Intradermal spindle cell/pleomorphic lipoma of the vulva: case report and review of the literature

J Cutan Pathol. 2002 Jan;29(1):59-62. doi: 10.1034/j.1600-0560.2002.290112.x.

Abstract

Background: Spindle cell/pleomorphic lipoma (SC/PL) is a benign adipose tissue tumor that usually affects the subcutaneous tissues of shoulders, backs, and neck region of middle-aged male patients. Histologically, it is characterized by the presence of primitive CD34-positive spindle cells arranged in short fascicles, bizarre floret-like multinucleated giant cells, mature adipocytes, and a small number of lipoblasts. Recently, an intradermal subset has been described, which mainly affects female patients and presents a wider antomical distribution when compared to the classical variant of SC/PL.

Methods: We report a case of intradermal SC/PL affecting the labium majus of a 56-year-old female patient.

Results: The histological examination disclosed the typical histological features, however the lesion showed poorly demarcated and infiltrative borders, as well as involvement of dermal nerves. The immunohistochemical analysis according to streptovidin-biotin-peroxidase technique showed immunoreactivity for CD34 and vimentin in the spindle cells, as well as S100 protein and vimentin in the adipocytic cells.

Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of intradermal SC/PL affecting the vulvar region. Care must be taken not to misdiagnosis this rare tumor as well-differentiated liposarcoma, cellular angiofibroma, solitary fibrous tumor, and cutaneous neurofibroma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adipocytes / chemistry
  • Adipocytes / pathology
  • Angiofibroma / pathology
  • Antigens, CD34 / analysis
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Lipoma / chemistry
  • Lipoma / pathology*
  • Lipoma / surgery
  • Liposarcoma / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms, Fibrous Tissue / pathology
  • Neurofibroma / pathology
  • S100 Proteins / analysis
  • Skin Neoplasms / chemistry
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Skin Neoplasms / surgery
  • Vimentin / analysis
  • Vulvar Neoplasms / chemistry
  • Vulvar Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Vulvar Neoplasms / surgery

Substances

  • Antigens, CD34
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • S100 Proteins
  • Vimentin