Myofibroblastoma Characterization in Mammary Tissues

Myofibroblastoma is a rare benign stromal tumour arising within the breast parenchyma characterised by a proliferation of spindle-shaped stromal cells with myofibroblastic differentiation. These tumours typically present as well-circumscribed, slow-growing masses and are most commonly identified in older men and postmenopausal women. Comprehensive characterisation relies on a combination of radiological imaging, histopathology and immunohistochemical profiling, with CD34 positivity and desmin expression alongside oestrogen and progesterone receptor detection serving as diagnostic hallmarks. Advances in pathophysiological understanding have shed light on the genetic underpinnings of these lesions, notably RB1 loss and 13q14 deletions, situating myofibroblastoma within a broader family of mesenchymal tumours. Although chiefly indolent, accurate differentiation from malignancies such as myofibrosarcoma or low-grade sarcomatoid carcinomas is critical. Surgical excision with clear margins remains the gold standard, with long-term follow-up confirming a negligible recurrence rate. Emerging research has also explored variant forms, including lipomatous and mixed histological subtypes, thereby refining both diagnostic criteria and management strategies.

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Myofibroblastoma Characterization in Mammary Tissues publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in myofibroblastoma characterization in mammary tissues across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Myofibroblastoma: A benign stromal tumour composed of spindle-shaped myofibroblastic cells in the breast.

Spindle cell tumour: A neoplasm characterised by elongated cells resembling fibroblasts or smooth muscle cells.

Immunohistochemistry: A laboratory method using antibodies to detect specific proteins in tissue sections.

CD34: A transmembrane glycoprotein marker expressed by vascular and stromal cells.

Desmin: An intermediate filament protein indicating muscle or myofibroblastic differentiation.

Hormone receptor: Proteins such as oestrogen or progesterone receptors that can influence tumour growth and guide therapy.

References

1. Myofibroblastoma of the Breast: Literature Review and Case Report. Case Reports in Oncological Medicine (2016).
2. Myofibroblastoma of the breast: two case reports and literature review. Journal of Surgical Case Reports (2021).
3. A Rare Case of Lipomatous Variant Mammary‐Type Myofibroblastoma of the Lateral Tongue. Case Reports in Dentistry (2023).
4. Case report: A challenging case of mixed-variant myofibroblastoma with complex imaging and pathological diagnosis. Frontiers in Oncology (2024).
5. A novel collision tumour of myofibroblastoma and low-grade adenosquamous carcinoma in breast. Diagnostic Pathology (2020).