Warning: mkdir(): Permission denied in /home/virtual/lib/view_data.php on line 81

Warning: fopen(upload/ip_log/ip_log_2024-03.txt): failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/virtual/lib/view_data.php on line 83

Warning: fwrite() expects parameter 1 to be resource, boolean given in /home/virtual/lib/view_data.php on line 84
Mediastinal Glomus Tumor: A Case Report and Literature Review
Skip Navigation
Skip to contents

J Pathol Transl Med : Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine

OPEN ACCESS
SEARCH
Search

Articles

Page Path
HOME > J Pathol Transl Med > Volume 49(6); 2015 > Article
Case Study
Mediastinal Glomus Tumor: A Case Report and Literature Review
Si-Hyong Jang, Hyun Deuk Cho, Ji-Hye Lee, Hyun Ju Lee, Hae Yoen Jung, Kyung-Ju Kim, Sung Sik Cho1, Mee-Hye Oh
Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine 2015;49(6):520-524.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4132/jptm.2015.07.02
Published online: August 4, 2015

Department of Pathology, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea

1Department of Radiology, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea

Corresponding Author: Mee-Hye Oh, MD, PhD Department of Pathology,Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital,31 Suncheonhyang 6-gil, Dongnam-gu,Cheonan 31151, Korea Tel: +82-41-570-3582 Fax: +82-41-570-3580 E-mail:'mhoh0212@hanmail.net'
• Received: May 6, 2015   • Revised: June 12, 2015   • Accepted: July 1, 2015

© 2015 The Korean Society of Pathologists/The Korean Society for Cytopathology

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

  • 9,569 Views
  • 61 Download
  • 9 Web of Science
  • 10 Crossref
  • 10 Scopus
  • A glomus tumor in the mediastinum is very uncommon, and only five cases have been reported in the English literature. We recently encountered a 21-year-old woman with an asymptomatic mediastinal mass that measured 5.3 × 4.0 cm. Surgical excision was performed, and the tumor was finally diagnosed as mediastinal glomus tumor with an uncertain malignant potential. After reviewing this case and previous reports, we analyzed the clinicopathologic features associated with progression of such a tumor.
Glomus tumors are rare mesenchymal neoplasms that originate from modified smooth muscle cells (glomus body), which help regulate body temperature and control blood pressure [1,2]. Although these tumors typically develop in the dermis or subcutis in the acral area, they can occur in deep soft tissue or visceral organs including the esophagus, stomach, rectum, kidney, lung, mediastinum, and urinary bladder [1,3-6].
Most glomus tumors are benign. Occasionally, these tumors exhibit atypical histologic features such as large size, infiltrative growth pattern, high nuclear grade, increased mitotic activity and atypical mitosis. Such atypical tumors have been known to be associated with local recurrence or distant metastasis [4,7]. Pathologic classification of glomus tumor has recently been suggested based on various clinicopathologic parameters [7].
Glomus tumors located in the mediastinum are extremely rare, and only five cases have been reported in the English literature [1-3,8,9]. We encountered a case of mediastinal glomus tumor in a 21-year-old woman, and reviewed the clinicopathologic characteristics of this case and previous mediastinal glomus tumor cases.
A 21-year-old woman was referred to our hospital due to a mediastinal mass that was incidentally detected on a chest X-ray performed during health screening. The patient did not complain of any notable symptoms. Chest computed tomography scan revealed a densely-enhanced, round to oval-shaped mass in the right cardiophrenic angle of the anterior inferior mediastinum. Small tortuous vascular structures were noted near the tumor (Fig. 1A). The patient underwent thoracoscopic mediastinal mass excision.
On gross examination, the specimen was a relatively well-demarcated solid mass with a rubbery consistency, measuring 5.3 ×4.0 cm. The cut surface of the tumor was tan yellow and had a nodular appearance without a necrotic or hemorrhagic area (Fig. 1B).
Microscopically, the tumor was enveloped by a variable, thickened fibrous capsule with no evidence of infiltration into adjacent tissue. A solid growth pattern was evident, with prominent vascular structures composed of small- to medium-sized blood vessels. Medium-sized vessels occasionally appeared with staghorn features and myxoid changes in their walls (Fig. 2A). The tumor displayed both low and high cellular areas. The high cellular areas appeared in vague nodular configuration, and the low cellular area had edematous and myxoid change and was present between high cellular areas (Fig. 2A, B). High-powered examination revealed that the tumor was composed of round epithelioid cells, which had clear to eosinophilic cytoplasm with sharply defined borders. The centrally-located vesicular nuclei were round to polygonal, with a mild convoluted contour of nuclear membranes. One or two small inconspicuous nucleoli were noted. Nuclear pleomorphism was not identified (Fig. 2C, D). Mitotic activity was infrequent, observed in fewer than 1/50 high power fields. Atypical mitosis was not found. Lymphovascular or perineural invasion was not observed. Immunohistochemical staining for smooth muscle actin and vimentin showed diffuse and focal positivity, respectively. Tumor cells were not immunoreactive for CD34, calretinin, cytokeratin, desmin, or neuroendocrine markers, including synaptophysin and chromogranin (Fig. 2E, F). Based on the histology and immunohistochemical results, a pathologic diagnosis of glomus tumor with uncertain malignant potential was made. There was no clinicoradiologic evidence of recurrence or metastasis for seven months after surgery.
Glomus tumors are unusual benign smooth muscle neoplasms that comprise fewer than 2% of all soft tissue tumors [10,11]. These tumors are preferentially located in the subungal area of extremities and have a characteristic clinical triad that includes pain, pinpoint tenderness and hypersensitivity to cold temperatures [12]. Clinically, this type of tumor is usually benign, and malignant cases have rarely been reported [13]. Additionally, mediastinal glomus tumors, first described in 1949, are extremely rare [2]; only five cases have been described in the English literature [1-3,8,9]. This is the sixth case of a glomus tumor in the mediastinum.
The pathologic differential diagnoses of mediastinal glomus tumor include carcinoid tumor, hemangiopericytoma, epithelioid leiomyoma, primitive neuroectodermal tumor, and paraganglioma. Characteristic morphologic features that are helpful for distinguishing these tumors include uniform, round tumor cells with centrally-located nuclei, a well-defined cell membrane and immunohistochemial results that are positive for actin and equivocal or negative for CD34, neuroendocrine markers (chromogranin A, synaptophysin, neuron specific enolase) and CD99 [1].
A previous article reported that mediastinal glomus tumors tend to have atypical histologic appearance with cytologic pleomorphism and infiltrate into surrounding tissue [1]. However, clinicopathologic features or distinct classification of glomus tumors in the mediastinum or visceral organs have not been established due to their infrequency. We comprehensively reviewed the clinicopathologic data of mediastinal glomus tumors; this data and the current case are presented in Table 1.
Compared with previous cases, our patient was young and did not present with any symptoms. In addition, although previous mediastinal glomus tumors were frequently found in the posterior superior area, this case was noted in an unusual location, the anterior inferior mediastinum. To investigate the clinicopathologic characteristics in malignant mediastinal glomus tumors, we searched for histologic descriptions in former reports. A previous report indicated that, in a fatal mediastinal glomus tumor case [8], advanced age, extensive local invasion, and brisk mitotic activity were significant and correlated with poor prognosis in mediastinal glomus tumors.
Glomus tumors with atypical features should be evaluated for variable clinicopathologic features, based on recently-defined classifications. These classifications include tumor location and size, nuclear atypia, and mitosis including atypical ones. The tumors can be categorized into four groups (Table 2) [4,7]. Since glomus tumors that arise in visceral organs, including the mediastinum, can be considered deeply-located tumors, they should be classified as malignant glomus tumor or glomus tumor of uncertain malignant potential. However, only one of six such reported patients died, and the remainder had no evidence of recurrence or metastasis during follow-up. Therefore, we collected and analyzed glomus tumor cases in visceral organs to define and outline characteristics for increased diagnostic accuracy, based on prognosis and adequate treatment.
We described an extremely rare case of mediastinal glomus tumor with no subject symptoms and reviewed the clinicopathologic features of previously reported cases. Considering the unpredictable prognosis of mediastinal glomus tumor, we suggest the need for histopathologic assessment parameters through collection and observation of glomus tumors that originate in the visceral organs.

Conflicts of Interest

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

This work was supported in part by the Soonchunhyang University Research Fund. We appreciate the expert counsel of Jae Ro, MD, PhD, Houston Methodist Hospital.
Fig. 1.
Radiologic and macroscopic findings. (A) Chest computed tomography reveals a well-demarcated enhanced mass in the anterior inferior mediastinum. (B) Mediastinal mass shows a gray-white homogeneous cut surface with no necrotic or hemorrhagic focus.
jptm-2015-07-02f1.gif
Fig. 2.
Macroscopic finding. (A) The tumor displays a sheet-like growth pattern with increased vascularity, and some medium-sized vessels within the tumor has a staghorn appearance. (B) Edematous and myxoid changes are prominent in hypocellular areas. (C, D) Tumor cells have a well-defined cell border and pale to eosinophilic cytoplasm. The nuclei are round and concentrically located with one or two inconspicuous nucleoli. (E) Immunohistochemical staining for smooth muscle actin is positive in tumor cells. (F) CD34 immunohistochemistry is nonreactive in tumor cells.
jptm-2015-07-02f2.gif
Table 1.
Clinicopathologic data of reported glomus tumor cases of mediastinum
Author Location Age (yr)/Sex Symptom Treatment Clinical result Follow-up period Size (cm) Local invasion Nuclear grade Atypical mitosis Mitotic activity Diagnosis
Brindley [2] Posterior 29/F Chest pain Resection Free 1 yr 5 No ND ND ND Glomus tumor
Choi et al. [8] Superior 78/F Dysphagia, dyspnea, hoarseness Radiation Died 2 wk 4.5 Extensive Low ND More than 10/10 HPFs Malignant glomus tumor
Gaertner et al. [1] Superior 46/F Pleural effusion, dyspnea Resection Free 3 yr 7 Partially Low No Less than 2/10 HPFs Glomus tumor, locally infiltrative
Bali et al. [3] Posterior inferior 26/F Lower back pain Resection Free 5 yr 5 No High ND Scattered Atypical glomus tumor
4 mo
Rychlik et al. [9] Posterior 59/M Upper abdominal and chest pain Resection Free 1 yr 2 No Low ND ND Glomus tumor
Present case Anterior inferior 21/F No Resection Free 7 mo 5.3 No Low No Less than 1/50 HPFs Glomus tumor of UMP

F, female; ND, not detected; HPF, high power fields; M, male; UMP, uncertain malignant potential.

Table 2.
Classification of glomus tumor with atypical features [7]
Group Feature
Malignant glomus tumor Severe atypia and increased mitotic activity (more than 5/50 HPFs) or presence of atypical mitosis
Glomus tumor of uncertain malignant potential Superficial location and increased mitotic activity (more than 5/50 HPFs) or large size (more than 2 cm) and/or deep location
Symplastic glomus tumor Lacks criteria for malignant glomus tumor and severe nuclear atypia
Glomangiomatosis Lacks criteria for malignant glomus tumor or glomus tumor of uncertain malignant potential and diffuse growth resembling angiomatosis with prominent glomus component

HPF, high power fields.

  • 1. Gaertner EM, Steinberg DM, Huber M, et al. Pulmonary and mediastinal glomus tumors: report of five cases including a pulmonary glomangiosarcoma: a clinicopathologic study with literature review. Am J Surg Pathol 2000; 24: 1105–14. ArticlePubMed
  • 2. Brindley GV Jr. Glomus tumor of the mediastinum. J Thorac Surg 1949; 18: 417–20. ArticlePubMed
  • 3. Bali GS, Hartman DJ, Haight JB, Gibson MK. A rare case of malignant glomus tumor of the esophagus. Case Rep Oncol Med 2013; 2013: 287078.ArticlePubMedPMCPDF
  • 4. Folpe AL, Fanburg-Smith JC, Miettinen M, Weiss SW. Atypical and malignant glomus tumors: analysis of 52 cases, with a proposal for the reclassification of glomus tumors. Am J Surg Pathol 2001; 25: 1–12. ArticlePubMed
  • 5. Tripodi SA, Rocca BJ, Mourmouras V, Barbanti G, Colecchia M, Ambrosio MR. Benign glomus tumor of the urinary bladder. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2013; 137: 1005–8. ArticlePubMed
  • 6. Lamba G, Rafiyath SM, Kaur H, et al. Malignant glomus tumor of kidney: the first reported case and review of literature. Hum Pathol 2011; 42: 1200–3. ArticlePubMed
  • 7. Goldblum JR, Folpe AL, Weiss SW. Enzinger and Weiss’s soft tissue tumors. 6th ed. Philadelphia: Saunders/Elsevier, 2014; 749–62.
  • 8. Choi YJ, Yang KH, Gang SJ, Kim BK, Kim SM. Malignant glomus tumor originating in the superior mediastinum: an immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study. J Korean Med Sci 1991; 6: 157–63. ArticlePubMedPMC
  • 9. Rychlik IJ, O’Donnell ME, Davey P, Merard R, McGuigan J. Glomus tumor of the mediastinum. Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann 2014; 22: 95–7. ArticlePubMed
  • 10. Mravic M, LaChaud G, Nguyen A, Scott MA, Dry SM, James AW. Clinical and histopathological diagnosis of glomus tumor: an institutional experience of 138 cases. Int J Surg Pathol 2015; 23: 181–8. ArticlePubMedPMC
  • 11. Shugart RR, Soule EH, Johnson EW Jr. Glomus tumor. Surg Gynecol Obstet 1963; 117: 334–40. ArticlePubMed
  • 12. Schiefer TK, Parker WL, Anakwenze OA, Amadio PC, Inwards CY, Spinner RJ. Extradigital glomus tumors: a 20-year experience. Mayo Clin Proc 2006; 81: 1337–44. ArticlePubMed
  • 13. Hirose T, Hasegawa T, Seki K, et al. Atypical glomus tumor in the mediastinum: a case report with immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies. Ultrastruct Pathol 1996; 20: 451–6. ArticlePubMed

Figure & Data

References

    Citations

    Citations to this article as recorded by  
    • A case of mediastinal mesenchymal tumor with pericytic neoplasm feature that responded to radiation therapy
      Miho Muramoto, Shintaro Kanda, Takashi Kobayashi, Hisashi Tamada, Ayumu Fukazawa, Keiichirou Koiwai, Tomonobu Koizumi
      Thoracic Cancer.2023; 14(13): 1204.     CrossRef
    • Report of a vagal paraganglioma at the cervicothoracic junction
      Jun Yun, Danielle Kapustin, Aisosa Omorogbe, Samuel J. Rubin, Daniel G. Nicastri, Reade A. De Leacy, Azita Khorsandi, Mark L. Urken
      Head & Neck.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
    • Total-Body Irradiation Is Associated With Increased Incidence of Mesenchymal Neoplasia in a Radiation Late Effects Cohort of Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta)
      W. Shane Sills, Janet A. Tooze, John D. Olson, David L. Caudell, Greg O. Dugan, Brendan J. Johnson, Nancy D. Kock, Rachel N. Andrews, George W. Schaaf, Richard A. Lang, J. Mark Cline
      International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics.2022; 113(3): 661.     CrossRef
    • Mesenchymal Tumors of the Mediastinum: An Update on Diagnostic Approach
      Joon Hyuk Choi, Jae Y. Ro
      Advances in Anatomic Pathology.2021; 28(5): 351.     CrossRef
    • La glomangiomatose médiastinale postérieure : localisation exceptionnelle d’une tumeur rare. À propos d’un cas
      A. Machboua, S. Hamraoui, S. Zarouki, I. Kamaoui, I. Alloubi
      Revue des Maladies Respiratoires.2021; 38(8): 848.     CrossRef
    • An unusual case of chest wall glomus tumor presenting with axillary pain: a case report and literature review
      Leila Oryadi Zanjani, Bahman Shafiee Nia, Farzad Vosoughi, Elham Mirzaian, Leila Aghaghazvini, Aidin Arabzadeh
      European Journal of Medical Research.2021;[Epub]     CrossRef
    • Clinical Implications of 18F-FDG PET/CT in Malignant Glomus Tumors of the Esophagus
      Romain-David Seban, Laurence Bozec, Laurence Champion
      Clinical Nuclear Medicine.2020; 45(6): e301.     CrossRef
    • Symplastic glomus tumor of the urinary bladder treated by robot-assisted partial cystectomy: a case report and literature review
      Franco Palmisano, Franco Gadda, Matteo G. Spinelli, Marco Maggioni, Bernardo Rocco, Emanuele Montanari
      Urologia Journal.2018; 85(3): 130.     CrossRef
    • Thoracoscopic Surgery for Glomus Tumor: An Uncommon Mediastinal Neoplasm and Iatrogenic Tracheal Rupture
      Zhongjie Fang, Dehua Ma, Baofu Chen, Huarong Luo
      Case Reports in Surgery.2017; 2017: 1.     CrossRef
    • Asymptomatic Glomus Tumor of the Mediastinum
      Meletios Kanakis, Nikoletta Rapti, Maria Chorti, Achilleas Lioulias
      Case Reports in Surgery.2015; 2015: 1.     CrossRef

    • PubReader PubReader
    • ePub LinkePub Link
    • Cite this Article
      Cite this Article
      export Copy Download
      Close
      Download Citation
      Download a citation file in RIS format that can be imported by all major citation management software, including EndNote, ProCite, RefWorks, and Reference Manager.

      Format:
      • RIS — For EndNote, ProCite, RefWorks, and most other reference management software
      • BibTeX — For JabRef, BibDesk, and other BibTeX-specific software
      Include:
      • Citation for the content below
      Mediastinal Glomus Tumor: A Case Report and Literature Review
      J Pathol Transl Med. 2015;49(6):520-524.   Published online August 4, 2015
      Close
    • XML DownloadXML Download
    Figure
    Related articles

    J Pathol Transl Med : Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine