Clinicopathologic features of myofibroma presenting in head and neck region — literature review and summary of 22 cases

Abstract

Background: Myofibroma is a benign mesenchymal tumour, most of which were presented merely by case reports. Objective: To evaluate the clinical and histopathologic features of myofibroma in head and neck region and explore the commonness and potential differences with literature review. Methods: 22 cases of myofibroma in head and neck region were diagnosed from December 2012 to May 2016 in Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Peking University. All of the clinical, radiological, and histopathologic manifestations were collected and analysed. Literature reports until April 2016 were searched on PubMed using keyword “myofibroma”. Findings: In our 22 cases, the sex ratio was 1:1 (M:F), with a median age of 6.5. Mandible, gingiva and subcutaneous tissue were the predilection sites (23%, 23%, 18%). All cases were treated by surgery including curettage, resection and extended resection. The immunochemical tests show vimentin (+), SMA (+), desmin (−), S-100 (−), CD-34 (−), Ki-67 (<10%). Tumour recurrence was found in 2 patients after 5–46 months follow-up. Cases from literature reports showed similar clinicopathologic features with our experience. Myofibroma is a benign mesenchymal tumour which can be locally aggressive. No distant metastasis was reported. Conclusion: In head and neck region, myofibroma is a benign tumour mostly appears in mandible, gingiva and subcutaneous tissue and more often happened in infants or adolescents. Local invasion makes it possible to recur after conservative operation. Most myofibroma can be cured by resection radically. The correlation with the spectrum of related diseases remains controversial.