Calcifying fibrous tumor of the adrenal gland

An 8-year clinical experience with diagnosis and treatment of adrenal lesions with calcification

Adrenal lesions with calcification are uncommon and surgical indication remains controversial. We evaluate rational indications for surgical intervention of adrenal lesions with calcification. From 2013 to 2021, 75 adrenal lesions with calcification managed with surgery had necessary studies for evaluation of rational surgical indication. Clinical benefit was defined as relief of symptoms or/and removal of the malignant tumors. Influencing factors for clinical benefit were evaluated by logistic regression. During the past 8-year period, 5057 patients received adrenal surgery in our center and 75 (1.5%) patients were accompanied with calcification, including 34 males and 41 females with a median age of 54 years (IQR = 41-63 years). The median maximum diameter of calcified adrenal lesions on preoperative CT imaging was 4.2 cm (IQR = 3.0-5.9 cm). Clinical benefit was achieved in 22 cases, including 4 cases of malignant tumors and 18 cases of relieved clinical symptoms. Correlation analysis indicated that maximum diameter of the lesion was significantly correlated with clinical benefit (p = 0.025). The maximum diameter in benefit group vs. non-benefit group was 5.5 cm (IQR = 3.7-7.4 cm) vs. 3.7 cm (IQR = 2.8-5.4 cm). AUC of the maximum diameter ROC curve of adrenal lesions was 0.662. The diameter, sensitivity and specificity corresponding to the maximum Youden index value were 4.5 cm, 0.682 and 0.623, respectively. Clinical benefit was not significantly correlated with calcification distribution (peripheral or internally scattered) (P = 0.106), calcification area ≥ 50% (P = 0.617) and internal enhancement of the lesion (P = 0.720). Adrenal lesions with calcification are mostly benign. Clinical benefit is significantly correlated with the maximum diameter of the lesion and 4.5 cm may be considered as the cutoff point of surgical intervention.

Clinicopathologic Study of Calcifying Fibrous Tumor Emphasizing Different Anatomical Distribution and Favorable Prognosis

Aims

Calcifying fibrous tumor (CFT) is a very rare begin fibroblastic tumor featuring a widely anatomical distribution and may mimic various spindle cell tumors. Misdiagnosis and hence mistreatment are likely caused due to unfamiliarity to clinicians or junior pathologists. We collected a relatively large series of CFTs in our institution aiming at further summarizing their clinicopathologic features in Chinese patients and discussing the diagnosis and differential diagnosis in clinical practice.

Methods

Clinicopathologic data of 22 CFTs were retrospectively reviewed. Histologic features were reevaluated and summarized. Immunostaining markers include CD34, SMA, Desmin, keratin, S100, ALK1, CD117, IgG, IgG4, and Ki-67. Follow-up of all cases was performed.

Results

22 CFTs include gastric (n=8), pulmonary (n=2), hepatic (n=2), cervical (n=1), appendiceal (n=1), esophageal (n=1), retroperitoneal (n=1), intra-abdominal (n=1), diaphragmatic (n=1), spermatic cord and scrotum (n=1), anconeal (n=1), mesenteric (n=1), and omental (n=1) lesions. Coexisting hepatocellular carcinoma, pancreatic carcinoma, pheochromocytoma, Castleman disease, and leiomyoma of the uterus and other metabolic or functional disorders were also appreciated. CFT histologically features spindle cells embedded dense hyalinized stroma with scattered psammomatous calcifications and lymphoplasmacytic infiltration and immunohistochemically for CD34. None of any individuals die of CFT per se.

Conclusion

Our study discloses that CFT is a bona fide benign fibroblastic lesion, regardless of its developing location. Involvement of digestive tract seems much more common in the Chinese population. Awareness of the clinicopathologic characteristics of this rare entity and its mimickers contribute to avoiding misdiagnosis and mistreatment in clinical practice.

Ultrasonographic imaging of calcifying fibrous tumor of cervical esophagus: A case report

RATIONALE

Calcifying fibrous tumor (CFT) is a rare benign mesenchymal tumor characterized by cytologically benign fibroblasts that produce abundant collagen with scattered lymphocytes, plasma cells, and psammomatous or dystrophic calcifications.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 37 years old women was initially diagnosed thyroid nodule in local hospital. She was referred to receive microwave ablation of the nodule in our hospital. The patient was in good health with occasional foreign body sensation in the neck. Routine laboratory examination was normal.

DIAGNOSIS

The lesion was suspected benign and originating from the esophagus rather than the thyroid gland by conventional ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound in our hospital and was finally proved to be CFT by pathology.

INTERVENTIONS

The lesion was surgically removed.

OUTCOMES

The patient recovered well and was followed up for 2 years without recurrence.

LESSONS

Although imaging diagnosis of CFT is difficult, the findings of clear border, coarse calcification on conventional ultrasound and peripheral hypoenhancement without central enhancement on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), together with real-time evaluation of the relationship between the tumor and esophagus help to distinguish CFT of cervical esophagus from other lesions in the neck.

Calcifying fibrous pseudotumor of the adrenal gland: A rare case report

Calcifying fibrous pseudotumor (CFP) is a rare benign soft tissue lesion. We herein present an extremely rare case of CFP of the adrenal gland. A 32-year-old male patient presented to our hospital with a tumor-like lesion in the area of the left adrenal gland detected by ultrasound during a routine check-up several days prior. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging examination revealed a solitary, well-circumscribed mass, in close proximity to the medial arterial branch of the left adrenal gland. Histological examination revealed that the tumor consisted of sheets of varying amount of inflammatory cell infiltration; interstitial fibrosis and psammomatous calcifications were also observed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the third case of CFP occurring in the adrenal gland in the published literature. We herein report the findings of this case and review the two previously reported cases of CFP of the adrenal gland with valuable information.

Retroperitoneal calcifying fibrous tumor mimicking an adrenal tumor

Establishing the etiology of a retroperitoneal tumor may be difficult due to close proximity of multiple organs. Evaluation of retroperitoneal tumors often leads to surgery, many times to obtain a definitive diagnosis and rule out malignancy. Calcifying fibrous tumors (CFT) are very rare soft tissue tumors occurring most often in young patients. They are most often found arising in the thoracic cavity, mediastinum, abdominal cavity and extremities and usually have a benign clinical course. Macrocscopically, the tumors are well circumscribed and firm with a white-tan appearance. Histologically, CFT comprised a hypocellular proliferation of bland spindle cells, densely hyalinized collagen, chronic lymphoplasmacytic inflammation and dystrophic calcifications. Other considerations in the pathologic differential diagnosis include solitary fibrous tumor and inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor.

Calcifying Fibrous Tumor: Review of 157 Patients Reported in International Literature

Calcifying fibrous tumor (CFT) is a benign lesion characterized by its specific histological findings and is found as solitary or multiple lesions in several locations of the human body. The aim of the present systematic review is to give a detailed account of all reported cases of CFT in the literature and to analyze the available data, to completely characterize the entity from epidemiological, medical, and surgical aspects.A bibliographic research was performed from 1988 until 2015. A database with the patients' characteristics was made, including sex, age, location of the tumor, symptoms, symptoms duration, size of the tumor, diagnostic methods, treatment, metastasis, and follow-up.A total of 104 articles were identified, reporting 157 cases of CFT. Mean age of patients was 33.58 years and the ratio between men and women was 1:1.27. The most common locations of CFT were stomach (18%), small intestine (8.7%), pleura (9.9%), mesentery (5%), and peritoneum (6.8%). Mean diameter of the tumor was estimated 4.6 cm. The correlations proceeded showed that as age increases, size decreases (P = 0.001) and that the tumor is larger in females (P = 0.027). Kruskal-Wallis test showed that the larger tumors appear in the neck and adrenal gland (P = 0.001). The percentage of asymptomatic patients was 30.57%. Computed tomography and biopsy were the most common tests for the diagnosis of CFT. Open surgical procedure was performed in the majority of cases. The median hospitalization was 6.06 days and the mean follow-up period was 29.97 months. Recurrences were mentioned in 10 of 96 patients with available data. No deaths owing to CFT were mentioned in the literature.CFT should be included in the differential diagnosis of enlarging mass revealed by clinical or imaging examination either incidentally or after specific acute or chronic symptomatology.

A rare case of solitary fibrous tumor of the adrenal gland detected by (18)F-FDG PET/CT

A 33-year old man underwent an F-FDG PET/CT searching for the cause of a fever of unknown origin. F-FDG PET/CT incidentally detected a focal area of markedly increased radiopharmaceutical uptake corresponding to a 2.5-cm nodule in the right adrenal gland. Laboratory data ruled out the presence of a functioning adrenal lesion. All these findings were suggestive of adrenal malignancy. After right adrenalectomy, histology showed a benign solitary fibrous tumor of the adrenal gland. This case highlights that benign solitary fibrous tumor should be considered as possible false-positive F-FDG PET/CT finding for malignancy in evaluating adrenal incidentalomas.

Axillary calcifying fibrous tumor (CFT) in an 8 year old girl

Calcifying fibrous tumors (CFTs) are benign soft tissue masses that can occur at many sites. This case report outlines the diagnostic workup for this rare, fast-growing, solitary mass in an otherwise healthy 8 year old patient. We also describe the radiographic and pathological characteristics unique to this lesion.

Is adrenal ovarian thecal metaplasia a misnomer? Report of three cases of radial scar-like spindle cell myofibroblastic nodule of the adrenal gland

Ovarian thecal metaplasia is a rare tumor-like mesenchymal lesion of the adrenal gland that has been reported mainly in postmenopausal women and rarely in men. It was originally described as a wedge-shaped lesion composed of ovarian-like stroma resembling theca that shows continuity with the capsule of the adrenal gland. We report three cases and identify that these lesions can resemble a radial scar. While a single case has been reported to contain true ovarian stromal elements, there was no evidence of steroidogenic differentiation in our cases. These findings justify the need for a better terminology since the entity falls within the spectrum of fibroblastic-myofibroblastic proliferations. We propose the terminology of "radial scar-like spindle cell myofibroblastic nodule of the adrenal gland" as a more accurate nomenclature to designate these lesions. Although rare, calcifying fibrous tumor of the adrenal gland, hypertrophic nerve bundles, and peripheral nerve sheath tumors may mimic these lesions.

Multifocal peritoneal calcifying fibrous tumour: incidental finding at cholecystectomy

Calcifying fibrous tumour (CFT) is a benign tumour of elusive aetiology and a potential for local recurrence. Despite its peculiar histological characteristics it can still be confused with interrelated differential diagnosis like inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour (IMT) or solitary fibrous tumours. The clinical differential diagnosis is however much wider. To date seven cases of multiple peritoneal CFTs are on record. The authors present a case discovered incidentally during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, with no previous history and no radiological diagnosis achieved despite having undergone magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and normal routine perioperative investigation. The patient is disease-free 12 months after diagnosis. The case report is followed by a detailed literature review.

Undetermined fibrous tumor with calcification in the cerebellopontine angle

In this report, we introduce an undetermined fibrous tumor with calcification occurring in the cerebellopontine angle (CPA). A 51-year-old woman was admitted with a short history of dizziness. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance images revealed a 2×2×2 cm sized mass at the left CPA which was round and calcified. There was no dura or internal auditory canal involvement. At surgery, the tumor was located at the exit of 7th and 8th cranial nerve complex. It was very firm, bright yellow and well encapsulated. Histologic findings revealed that the tumor was predominantly composed of fibrous component, scant spindle cells and dystrophic calcification. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated positive for vimentin and negative for epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), S-100 protein, CD34, factor XIIIa and smooth muscle actin. The diagnosis was not compatible with meningioma, schwannoma, metastatic brain tumors, and other fibrous tumors. Although the tumor was resected in total, long term follow-up monitoring is necessary due to the possibility of recurrence.

Nodular and diffuse fibrous proliferation of the penis and tunica vaginalis

Fibrous benign proliferations of the testis and paratesticular tissues are an uncommon and heterogeneous group of lesions that can mimic true neoplasms. Among them, those considered to be reactive proliferations have been included in the category of fibrous pseudotumors and are often associated with trauma, hydrocele, or infection. We report 2 cases of nodular and diffuse fibrous proliferation. This condition is part of the spectrum of reactive benign fibrous lesions and has previously been described in the testicular tunics and paratesticular region only. One of our 2 cases had the peculiarity of being located in the penile shaft, whereas the other involved the tunica vaginalis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a diffuse and nodular fibrous tumor involving the penis.