Bilateral Neurofibromas of the Nipple-Areolar Complex: A Case Report and Approach to Diagnosis.
1. IntroductionNeurofibromas are rare, benign, peripheral nerve sheath tumours which can be a manifestation of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NFI). They typically develop on the trunk or limbs, affecting approximately 95% of individuals with NFI. NFI is caused by mutations of the NF1 gene leading to a nonfunctional neurofibromin protein, which usually acts as a tumour suppressor. Very few cases of breast neurofibromas are reported and were documented to predominantly occur on the nipple-areolar complex [1, 2].
2. Case Report
We present a case of a female aged 33 with a diagnosis of NFI. She presented with a longstanding history of bilateral nipple skin tags. No family history of NFI was documented. She had a history of hypothyroidism, epilepsy, and learning difficulties.
On clinical examination, bilateral, pedunculated, polypoid, and fleshy lesions were noted on both nipple-areolar complexes (Figure 1(a)). The right nipple lesion measured 60x55x35mm and left measured 25x25x25mm.
Microscopically, both specimens showed dermal proliferations ofbland spindle-shaped cells with elongated wavy dark nuclei (Figures 1(b)-1(d)). No atypia, pleomorphism, necrosis, or mitotic activity was seen. Spindle cell proliferation extended close to a mammary duct (Figure 1(d)); however, it must be noted that these lesions did not arise from the breast parenchyma but included smooth muscle fibres of nipple and were in close proximity to mammary ducts. This can pose a diagnostic challenge when differentiating between spindle cell lesions arising from breast parenchyma which can also extend to the nipple.
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) supported the neural differentiation of the spindle cells with immunopositivity for S100 and neurofilament (Figures 1(f)-1(h)). Neurofilament usually stains axons in peripheral situations and not spindle cells. The proliferation was negative for a panel of cytokeratins including AE1/3 and p63.
Interestingly, large amounts of smooth muscle bundles were dispersed within the lesion. Desmin (Figure 1(e)) and smooth muscle myosin on IHC highlights the florid component of associated smooth muscle. This is thought to be a reactive process in response to the development of the neurofibroma.
3. Discussion
Spindle cell lesions of the breast are uncommon. The differential diagnosis is wide and histogenesis varied [1,2]. Clinical history and IHC can provide invaluable information to aid histological diagnosis which can otherwise prove challenging. Breast spindle cell (BSC) lesions can be classified into benign BSC lesions and malignant BSC lesions [3, 6]. They can be entirely composed of spindle cells (pure) or mixed with other nonspindle cell components (mixed). In our case the bland BSCs were mixed with smooth muscle bundles with IHC positive for S100 and neurofilament (Figures 1(f)-1(h)) indicating the neural origin of the cells [7].
Four morphologically distinct variations of neurofibromas exist: plexiform, cutaneous, massive soft tissue neurofibromas, and localised intraneural tumours. On physical examination cutaneous neurofibromas, as presented in this case, have the appearance of flesh coloured papules or nodules of various size (Figure 1(a)). They can be pedunculated, dome shaped, or sessile and growth can be cosmetically disfiguring. As opposed to plexiform neurofibromas which are usually present at birth, cutaneous neurofibromas generally develop after adolescence [1-3, 6].
Neurofibromas are one of the two types of benign breast peripheral nerve sheath tumours (PNST), the other being breast schwannomas [1, 4, 8, 9]. Schwannomas are the most common of the PNST with a low malignant potential and can occur sporadically or in association with neurofibromatosis II (NFII) in 3% of cases [9]. Microscopically neurofibromas and schwannomas are typically composed of spindle shaped cells with elongated wavy nuclei with no features of atypia or areas of high mitotic activity. Neurofibromas do not display verocay bodies, Antoni A and B areas, nuclear palisading, or hyalinized thickening of vessels present in schwannomas. On IHC they display positivity for S100 protein. More diffuse and uniform S100 staining patterns are seen in schwannomas [6, 7, 9].
Differential diagnoses of benign breast spindle cell lesions include fibromatosis, myofibroblastic lesions, neurofibromas, schwannomas, nodular fasciitis, and scar tissue [4]. Malignant differentials include spindle cell metaplastic carcinoma (SCMC), malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours (MPNST), malignant phyllodes tumour, and angiosarcoma and melanoma [6] (Table 1).
Myofibroblastoma are devoid of mammary epithelium and contain thickbundles of hyalinized collagen between the spindle cells. This was not observed in this current case. Myofibroblastoma is typically positive for desmin, SMA, CD10, and CD34, often positive for ER and androgen receptor, and negative for S100 [4]. Desmin positivity was also present in our case due to the smooth muscle component. Fibromatosis often displays collagen deposits among a fascicular pattern of spindle cells along with entrapped fat cells. Fibromatosis would show positivity for CD34, SMA, and B-catenin; however, it would be negative for S100. Nodular fasciitis, a rapidly growing lesion, arises from superficial fascia and comprises fibroblasts and myofibroblasts in a myxoid stroma with prominent vasculature. Positivity for SMA and vimentin and negativity for S100, desmin, and CD34 would be expected [4].
Neurofibromas can evolve into MPNSTs. It is therefore paramount that any evidence of malignancy such as necrosis, atypia, or mitoses is detected. MPNSTs are rare soft tissue sarcomas classified into three variants: glandular, epithelioid, and mesenchymal [10]. Distinguishing between neurofibromas and MPNSTs can be challenging as neurofibromas can occasionally exhibit some pleomorphic cells. Typically MPNSTs exhibit spindle cells in dense cellular areas with areas of high mitotic activity and loss of neurofibroma architecture. IHC typically shows reduced expression of S100 and CD34 with extensive p53 positivity [11].
SCMC is an important differential and can display a range of mild to severe atypia. Low grade fibromatosis-like spindle cell carcinoma is a variant of SCMC characterised by at least 95% of the tumour consisting of bland spindle cells [12,13]. It can be difficult to differentiate from benign mimics. IHC of SCMC shows positivity for cytokeratins denoting their epithelial origin, not evident in our case. SCMC is often positive for basal cytokeratins and hence the importance of including basal markers such as p63, CK5, and CK14 in the panel if the diagnosis of metaplastic carcinoma is considered [5, 14]. Table 1 summarises the differential diagnoses of spindle cell lesions.
A useful panel of IHC for the diagnosis of spindle cell breast lesions includes broad spectrum and basal cytokeratins (to exclude metaplastic carcinoma), CD34 (negative in metaplastic carcinoma and positive in a variety of lesions), S100 (melanoma, neural differentiation, some carcinomas), HMB45 and Melan A (for melanoma), and desmin (for myoid differentiation). Other markers can be included depending on the morphological appearances (e.g., B-catenin in fibromatosis) [4, 7]. No single marker is fully specific and IHC should be interpreted in the light of the morphological findings.
4. Conclusion
Our case of bilateral nipple-areolar complex neurofibromas presenting in a female with NFI displays an unusual presentation and diagnosis within histopathology with a vast array of differential diagnoses. IHC plays a vital role in the diagnosis of breast spindle cell lesions. This highlights the importance of conducting a broad panel of immunohistochemical markers when breast spindle cells lesions are identified since there are significant differences in the management and prognosis of various differentials.
Abbreviations NFI: Neurofibromatosis type 1 BSC: Breast spindle cell PNST: Peripheral nerve sheath tumours MPNST: Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour SCMC: Spindle cell metaplastic carcinoma SMA: Smooth muscle actin IHC: Immunohistochemistry.
Disclosure
An earlier version of this work was presented as an abstract at the 2017 Pathological Society Winter Meeting: https:// onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/path.4895.
https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/6702561
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.
References
[1] M. R. Bongiorno, S. Doukaki, and M. Aric, "Neurofibromatosis of the nipple-areolar area: A case series," Journal of Medical Case Reports, vol. 4, 2010.
[2] G. Spyropoulou, L. Pavlidis, M. Trakatelli et al., "Rare benign tumours of the nipple," Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 7-13, 2015.
[3] A. Al-Nafussi, "Spindle cell tumours of the breast: Practical approach to diagnosis," Histopathology, vol. 35, no. 1,pp. 1-13,1999.
[4] E. A. Rakha, M. A. Aleskandarany, A. H. S. Lee, and I. O. Ellis, "An approach to the diagnosis of spindle cell lesions of the breast," Histopathology, vol. 68, no. 1, pp. 33-44, 2016.
[5] G. Magro, "Differential diagnosis of benign spindle cell lesions," Surgical Pathology Clinics, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 91-121, 2018.
[6] E. Brogi, "Benign and Malignant Spindle Cell Lesions of the Breast," Seminars in Diagnostic Pathology, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 57-64, 2004.
[7] T. Moriya, Y. Kozuka, N. Kanomata, G. M. Tse, and P.-H. Tan, "The role of immunohistochemistry in the differential diagnosis of breast lesions," Pathology, vol. 41, no. 1, pp. 68-76,2009.
[8] D. S. Jeyaretna, A. Oriolowo, M. E. F. Smith, and R. M. Watkins, "Solitary neurofibroma in the male breast," World Journal of Surgical Oncology, vol. 5, article no. 23,2007.
[9] Y. Parikh, K. J. Sharma, S. J. Parikh, and D. Hall, "Intramammary schwannoma: a palpable breast mass," Radiology Case Reports, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. 129-133, 2016.
[10] K. K. Dhingra, S. Mandal, S. Roy, and N. Khurana, "Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the breast: Case report," World Journal of Surgical Oncology, vol. 5, article no. 142, 2007.
[11] M. M. Miettinen, C. R. Antonescu, C. D. M. Fletcher et al., "Histopathologic evaluation of atypical neurofibromatous tumors and their transformation into malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor in patients with neurofibromatosis 1--a consensus overview," Human Pathology, vol. 67, pp. 1-10, 2017.
[12] R. Nonnis, P. Paliogiannis, D. Giangrande, V. Marras, and M. Trignano, "Low-grade fibromatosis-like spindle cell metaplastic carcinoma of the breast: A case report and literature review," Clinical Breast Cancer, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 147-150,2012.
[13] N. Sneige, H. Yaziji, S. R. Mandavilli et al., "Low-grade (fibromatosis-like) spindle cell carcinoma of the breast," The American Journal of Surgical Pathology, vol. 25, no. 8, pp. 1009-1016,2001.
[14] E. A. Rakha, S. Badve, V. Eusebi et al., "Breast lesions of uncertain malignant nature and limited metastatic potential: Proposals to improve their recognition and clinical management," Histopathology, vol. 68, no. 1, pp. 45-56, 2016.
Emily Hero (iD), (1) Martyn Carey, (2) Isabelle Hero, (2) and Abeer M. Shaaban (2)
(1) University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, UK
(2) Department of Cellular Pathology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, UK
Correspondence should be addressed to Emily Hero; emilyhero@doctors.org.uk
Received 10 June 2018; Accepted 26 July 2018; Published 6 September 2018
Academic Editor: Tibor Tot
Caption: Figure 1: Macroscopic and microscopic appearances of the nipple neurofibroma. (a) Gross appearance of the largest lesion showing a pedunculated polypoid mass. (b) Overall H&E view showing a polypoid lesion covered by unremarkable squamous epithelium. (c) Low power H&E section showing bland spindle shaped cells interspersed with smooth muscle bundles of the nipple. (d) High power H&E section showing moderately cellular bland spindle cells extending close to a large mammary duct. There is no cytological atypia or mitoses. The adjacent mammary duct is benign and lined by inner luminal and outer myoepithelial cells. The lesional spindle cells show immunoreactivity for desmin (e), neurofilament (f), and S100 (g and h).
Table 1: Differential diagnosis of common breast spindle cell lesions
that may involve the nipple [3-5]. SMA: smooth muscle actin, ER:
estrogen receptor, PR: progesterone receptor, DCIS: ductal carcinoma
in situ, and CKs: cytokeratins.
Differential diagnosis of common breast spindle cell lesions
Benign Histological Features Immunohistochemistry
Fibromatosis Collagen deposition Positive: SMA, B-
amongst spindle cells catenin (80%
arranged in fascicles nuclear), Negative:
infiltrating fatty S100M CKs, p63,
tissue. Lymphoid desmin,CD34
aggregates may be
seen at the margins
of the lesion.
Myofibroblastoma Irregular, Positive: desmin,
nonencapsulated SMA, CD34, ER, AR
spindle cells with caldesmon, vimentin,
collagen bundles. Bcl2 and CD99.
Rare/No mitoses. No Negative: S100, CKs,
epithelial component p63, RB STAT6
seen.
Neurofibroma Bundles of wavy Positive:
spindle cells, Neurofilament, S100
elongated nuclei and
narrow cytoplasmic
processes.
Schwannoma Similar to Positive:
Neurofibroma but Neurofilament, S100
characteristic
Verocay Bodies with
nuclear palisading,
Antoni A & B areas
Nodular Fasciitis Fibroblasts with Positive: SMA,
vesicular nuclei in vimentin, Negative:
myxoid stroma. S100, CD34, desmin,
Mitoses frequently keratin
detected. Rapidly
growing lesion
arising from
superficial fascia
Malignant
MPNST Types: Glandular, Positive:
Epitheliod, Neurofilament, S100
mesenchymal. Spindle p53 Negative: EMA,
cells in dense keratin
cellular areas of
high mitotic
activity. Areas of
necrosis, nuclear
pleomorphism
Metaplastic Carcinoma Malignant epithelial Positive: CKs, p63,
and mesenchymal vimentin, keratin
areas. High mitotic Negative: CD34
figures, necrosis and
nuclear pleomorphism.
DCIS may be seen.
Malignant Phyllodes Leaf-like morphology, Positive/Negative:
marked stromal CD34 Negative: CKs
cellularity and
nuclear pleomorphism.
Melanoma Can be composed of Positive: S100, Melan
epitheliod +/spindle A, Negative: CKs
cells. Can have large
pleomorphic cells.
Angiosarcoma Haemorrhagic mass Positive: CD31, CD34,
composed of keratin
epitheliod or spindle
cells displaying
vascular
differentiation
 Printer friendly
 Cite/link
 Email
 Feedback
| |
| Title Annotation: | Case Report |
|---|---|
| Author: | Hero, Emily; Carey, Martyn; Hero, Isabelle; Shaaban, Abeer M. |
| Publication: | Case Reports in Pathology |
| Date: | Jan 1, 2018 |
| Words: | 2132 |
| Previous Article: | Clinicohistopathological Characteristics of Malignant Melanoma in the Gall Bladder: A Case Report and Review of the Literature. |
| Next Article: | Mantle Cell Lymphoma in the Thyroid: A Rare Presentation. |
| Topics: | |