Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
Collagenous fibroma (desmoplastic fibroblastoma) of the palate: A case report*

https://doi.org/10.1067/moe.2001.109638Get rights and content

Abstract

Collagenous fibroma is an uncommon benign soft tissue lesion that has a wide anatomic distribution. We describe a case of a collagenous fibroma that appeared in the left soft and hard palate of a 37-year-old woman as a 5.0-cm solitary, firm nodule. Microscopically, it was composed of stellate or spindle-shaped cells embedded in hypovascular fibrous stroma. Entrapment of fat was focally identified at the edges. Mitotic figures and tumor necrosis were absent. Tumor cells were immunopositive for vimentin, and a few cells were positive for α-smooth muscle actin. Tumor extracellular matrix was immunopositive for type I and type III collagen, as well as for fibronectin. These findings satisfied the diagnostic criteria for collagenous fibroma (desmoplastic fibroblastoma). This case, to our knowledge, represents the first report of this tumor in the mouth. The differential diagnosis of fibrous lesions of the mouth is discussed. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2001;91:80-4)

Section snippets

Case report

A 37-year-old white woman was referred to the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic at Vila Penteado Hospital, São Paulo, in August 1999, for evaluation of a firm swelling on the left soft and hard palate that had appeared spontaneously and had been growing slowly for almost 18 months. The patient was otherwise in good health, and her medical history was not contributory. Intraoral examination showed a 5.0-cm painless, solitary, firm, well-circumscribed nodule, covered by normal mucosa (Fig 1).

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Discussion

The clinicopathologic features of the case described in this article met the criteria for the diagnosis of CF reported by Evans1 and Nielson et al,2 who defined desmoplastic fibroblastoma and collagenous fibroma, respectively. Clinically, the tumor presented as a solitary, firm, well-circumscribed, painless, large mass of long duration (18 months). On gross examination, the lesion appeared as an oval mass with a resilient, fibroelastic consistency and a homogeneous fibrous cut surface.

Acknowledgements

We thank Edna Toddai and Elisa dos Santos (Oral Pathology Laboratory, School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo) for technical expertise and assistance, and Dr Shajadi Carlos Pardo Kaba and Dr Fernando Melhem Elias (São Paulo Vila Penteado Hospital) for assistance in surgery.

References (11)

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Reprint requests: Vera Cavalcanti de Araújo, DDS, PhD, Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Odontologia, Disciplina de Patologia Bucal, Av Prof Lineu Prestes 2227, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo-SP, Brazil

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