Tumors of fibrous tissue involving the skin

Abstract

Fibroblastic and myofibroblastic tumors represent a relatively common group of soft tissue lesions that includes reactive, hamartomatous and neoplastic conditions. The neoplastic tumors range from benign to intermediate to fully malignant neoplasms, capable of metastasis leading to the death of patient. These tumors can be diagnostically challenging because of the morphologic and immunohistochemical overlap, despite the clinical and molecular differences. As a general rule, superficial soft tissue tumors, especially cutaneous tumors, are less aggressive than deep tumors. In this short overview, several fibroblastic and myofibroblastic tumor entities which can involve the skin will be discussed with emphasis on the clinicopathological features, differential diagnosis, and the rule of immunohistochemical and molecular studies in their diagnosis. Recent advances/developments in this subject will also be reviewed. Fibroblastic and myofibroblastic tumors represent a relatively common group of soft tissue lesions that includes reactive, hamartomatous and neoplastic conditions. The neoplastic tumors range from benign to intermediate to fully malignant neoplasms, capable of metastasis leading to the death of patient. These tumors can be diagnostically challenging because of the morphologic and immunohistochemical overlap, despite the clinical and molecular differences. As a general rule, superficial soft tissue tumors, especially cutaneous tumors, are less aggressive than deep tumors. In this short overview, several fibroblastic and myofibroblastic tumor entities which can involve the skin will be discussed with emphasis on the clinicopathological features, differential diagnosis, and the rule of immunohistochemical and molecular studies in their diagnosis. Recent advances/developments in this subject will also be reviewed.