Elastofibroma: Clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study

Abstract

Purpose: Elastofibroma is a rare benign tumor of soft tissues, usually involving the subscapular region of elderly women. Here we present 16 cases of elastofibroma which were obtained from the pathology files of Cukurova University Medical Faculty between 1988-2000. Methods: Fourteen cases were women, two cases were men, median age being 52 years. Three cases were localized bilaterally, and ten cases unilaterally in subscapular region, two cases in lateral thoracic wall, and one case bilaterally in supraclavicular region. Sixteen cases of elastofibroma have been studied by conventional light microscopy as well as by histochemistry (Verhoff' s elastic Van Gieson) and immunohistochemistry (SMA, lysozyme, vimentin,desmin, S-100 protein, CD34, collagen type IV, TGF-$beta$) and three cases have also been performed on transmission electron microscopy. Results: We found positive staining with vimentin, and CD34 whereas SMA, lysozyme, desmin, S-100 collagen type IV and TGF-$beta$ were negative.On electron microscopic evaluation, we found granular aggregates surrounded by collagen in three cases. Conclusions:In summary, we present 16 cases of elastofibroma with some unusual locations and we consider that abnormal elastogenesis plays a role of etiopathogenesis of elastofibroma.