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Superficial Acral Fibromyxoma: Literature Review* * Work developed at the Group of Hand Surgery and Microsurgery, Hospital Santa Marcelina de Itaquera, São Paulo, SP, Brazil Published Originally by Elsevier Editora Ltda.

Abstract

Superficial acral fibromyxoma is a benign and rare tumor of the soft tissues. It usually manifests itself through a painless mass of slow growth that affects mainly males in the fifth decade of life. It usually affects the distal region, with a polypoid or dome-shaped appearance. The histological appearance is of a dermal mass without capsule, with spindle-shaped fibroblasts in a storiform or fasciculated pattern in the myxocollagenous stroma. The immunohistochemical evaluation of superficial acral fibromyxoma is usually positive for CD34 and CD99, with variable positivity for epithelial membrane antigen. The treatment consists of complete excision of the tumor mass.

A review of the current literature on superficial acral fibromyxoma was performed, with an emphasis on the number of cases reported, location, diagnostic methods, histological characteristics, differential diagnoses and treatment.

A total of 314 reported cases of superficial acral fibromyxoma with variable locations were found in the current literature, mainly in the toes (45.8%) and fingers (39.1%). It has a slightly superior incidence in men (61%) and enormous variability in the age range of occurrence.

Superficial acral fibromyxoma is a single soft-tissue tumor that should enter the differential diagnosis of periungual and subungual acral lesions; the treatment consists of simple excision. More studies are needed to better understand this pathology, which was first described in 2001.

Keywords
soft-tissue neoplasms; fibroma/pathology; fibroma/therapy; skin neoplasms

Resumo

O fibromixoma acral superficial é um tumor raro de tecidos moles. Geralmente se manifesta por meio de uma massa indolor de crescimento lento que acomete principalmente adultos do sexo masculino na quinta década de vida. Ele normalmente afeta a região distal, com aparência polipoide. A aparência histológica é de uma massa dérmica sem cápsula, com fibroblastos fusiformes em estroma mixocolagenoso. A avaliação imuno-histoquímica do fibromixoma acral superficial normalmente é positiva para CD34 e CD99, com positividade variável para o antígeno epitelial de membrana. O tratamento consiste na exérese completa da massa tumoral.

Foi feita uma revisão da literatura atual sobre o fibromixoma acral superficial com ênfase na quantidade de casos relatados, na localização, nos métodos diagnósticos, nas características histológicas, nos diagnósticos diferenciais, e no tratamento.

Foram encontrados na literatura atual 314 casos descritos de fibromixoma acral superficial com localização variada, principalmente em pododáctilos (45,8%) e quirodáctilos (39,1%). Este tumor tem acometimento ligeiramente superior em homens (61%), e enorme variabilidade na faixa etária de acometimento.

O fibromixoma acral superficial é um tumor de tecido mole único que deve entrar no diagnóstico diferencial das lesões periungueais e subungueais acrais; o tratamento consiste da exérese simples. Mais estudos são necessários para que se conheça melhor essa patologia, descrita em 2001.

Palavras-chave
neoplasias de tecidos moles; fibroma/patologia; fibroma/terapia; neoplasias cutâneas

Introduction

Superficial acral fibromyxoma (SAF) is a myxoid tumor described in 2001 by Fetsch et al,11 Fetsch JF, Laskin WB, Miettinen M. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: a clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis of 37 cases of a distinctive soft tissue tumor with a predilection for the fingers and toes. Hum Pathol 2001;32(07):704-714 which affects preferentially the subungual or periungual regions. It usually manifests itself through a painless mass of slow growth that affects mainly males in the fifth decade of life. It is usually located in the acral region of the hands and feet, but it can affect the region of the heel and ankle.22 Ashby-Richardson H, Rogers GS, Stadecker MJ. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: an overview. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2011;135(08): 1064-1066

3 Wakabayashi Y, Nakai N, Takenaka H, Katoh N. Superficial acral fibromyxoma of the great toe: case report and mini-review of the literature. Acta Dermatovenerol Croat 2012;20(04):263-266

4 Messeguer F, Nagore E, Agustí-Mejias A, Traves V. Fibromixoma acral superficial, un tumor periungueal CD34 positivo. Actas Dermosifiliogr 2012;103(01 ):67-69

5 Wei C, Fleegler EJ. Superficial acral fibromyxoma of the thumb. Eplasty 2013;13:ic13

6 Prescott RJ, Husain EA, Abdellaoui A, et al. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: a clinicopathological study of new 41 cases from the U.K.: should myxoma (NOS) and fibroma (NOS) continue as part of 21st- century reporting? Br J Dermatol 2008;159(06):1315-1321
-77 Al-Daraji WI, Miettinen M. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: a clinicopathological analysis of 32 tumors including 4 in the heel. J Cutan Pathol 2008;35(11):1020-1026 History of associated trauma is rare, and most tumors grow asymptomatically. Regarding the histological analysis, it presents as a neoplasia of difficult delineation, which is composed of spindle- or star-shaped cells with varying degree of pleomorphism. It presents cells arranged in the myxoid and collagenous stroma, with immunoreactivity for CD34, CD99, vimentin and focally for the epithelial membrane antigen (EMA). Blood vessels predominate in the myxoid area, and mast cells are usually distributed throughout the lesion. The treatment typically consists of complete mass excision in order to avoid relapses or malignization, although the tumor does not present aggressive behavior, despite the presence of cellular atypia in some cases. To date, the occurrence of malignancy has not been reported in the literature. The postoperative follow-up should be performed because of the recurrence rate of 10 to 24%.66 Prescott RJ, Husain EA, Abdellaoui A, et al. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: a clinicopathological study of new 41 cases from the U.K.: should myxoma (NOS) and fibroma (NOS) continue as part of 21st- century reporting? Br J Dermatol 2008;159(06):1315-1321

7 Al-Daraji WI, Miettinen M. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: a clinicopathological analysis of 32 tumors including 4 in the heel. J Cutan Pathol 2008;35(11):1020-1026
-88 Hollmann TJ, Bovée JV, Fletcher CD. Digital fibromyxoma (superficial acral fibromyxoma): a detailed characterization of 124 cases. Am J Surg Pathol 2012;36(06):789-798 The present work aims to review the current literature on SAF, with an emphasis on the number of cases reported, gender distribution, location, lesion characteristics, diagnostic methods, histological characteristics, differential diagnoses and treatment.

Casuistry and Methods

The present study, which is a review of the literature on the tumor described by Fetsch et al11 Fetsch JF, Laskin WB, Miettinen M. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: a clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis of 37 cases of a distinctive soft tissue tumor with a predilection for the fingers and toes. Hum Pathol 2001;32(07):704-714 as superficial acral fibromyxoma, is focused on studying the number of cases reported, their location, the main histological characteristics, their differential diagnoses, and the treatment. A bibliographic search was carried out in the PubMed database, in which 58 papers were found through the descriptors: “superficial AND acral AND fibromyxoma.” The inclusion and exclusion criteria are as follows:

Inclusion Criteria

  • Works written in Portuguese and/or English.

  • Complete works.

  • Articles that presented diagnostic techniques, differential diagnoses, surgical techniques or case reports about the pathology in question.

Exclusion Criteria

  • Articles without abstracts.

  • Works written in languages other than those mentioned in the inclusion criteria.

  • Works whose theme differed from that presented in the research.

Six articles were excluded from this review because they did not have summaries; four were excluded because they were not written in Portuguese or English; and three were excluded because they did not add information about reported accidents, location, histological characteristics, differential diagnoses and/or pathology treatment.

Results

We found in the literature 314 cases of SAF with varied locations, as shown in Table 1.11 Fetsch JF, Laskin WB, Miettinen M. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: a clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis of 37 cases of a distinctive soft tissue tumor with a predilection for the fingers and toes. Hum Pathol 2001;32(07):704-714,33 Wakabayashi Y, Nakai N, Takenaka H, Katoh N. Superficial acral fibromyxoma of the great toe: case report and mini-review of the literature. Acta Dermatovenerol Croat 2012;20(04):263-266

4 Messeguer F, Nagore E, Agustí-Mejias A, Traves V. Fibromixoma acral superficial, un tumor periungueal CD34 positivo. Actas Dermosifiliogr 2012;103(01 ):67-69

5 Wei C, Fleegler EJ. Superficial acral fibromyxoma of the thumb. Eplasty 2013;13:ic13

6 Prescott RJ, Husain EA, Abdellaoui A, et al. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: a clinicopathological study of new 41 cases from the U.K.: should myxoma (NOS) and fibroma (NOS) continue as part of 21st- century reporting? Br J Dermatol 2008;159(06):1315-1321

7 Al-Daraji WI, Miettinen M. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: a clinicopathological analysis of 32 tumors including 4 in the heel. J Cutan Pathol 2008;35(11):1020-1026

8 Hollmann TJ, Bovée JV, Fletcher CD. Digital fibromyxoma (superficial acral fibromyxoma): a detailed characterization of 124 cases. Am J Surg Pathol 2012;36(06):789-798

9 Quaba O, Evans A, Al-Nafussi AA, Nassan A. Superficial acral fibromyxoma. Br J Plast Surg 2005;58(04):561-564

10 André J, Theunis A, Richert B, de Saint-Aubain N. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: clinical and pathological features. Am J Dermatopathol 2004;26(06):472-474

11 Oteo-Alvaro A, Meizoso T, Scarpellini A, Ballestín C, Pérez-Espejo G. Superficial acral fibromyxoma of the toe, with erosion of the distal phalanx. A clinical report. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 2008; 128(03):271-274

12 Abou-Nukta F, Fiedler P, Parkash V, Arons J. Superficial acral fibromyxoma of the distal phalanx of the thumb. J Hand Surg [Br] 2006;31(06):619-620

13 Meyerle JH, Keller RA, Krivda SJ. Superficial acral fibromyxoma of the index finger. J Am Acad Dermatol 2004;50(01):134-136

14 Kazakov DV, Mentzel T, Burg G, Kempf W. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: report of two cases. Dermatology 2002;205(03):285-288

15 Tardío JC, Butrón M, Martín-Fragueiro LM. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: report of 4 cases with CD10 expression and lipomatous component, two previously underrecognized features. Am J Dermatopathol 2008;30(05):431-435

16 Pasquinelli G, Foroni L, Papadopoulos F, Dicandia L, Bisceglia M. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: immunohistochemical and ultrastructural analysis of a case, with literature review. Ultrastruct Pathol 2009;33(06):293-301

17 Misago N, Ohkawa T, Yanai T, Narisawa Y. Superficial acral fibromyxoma on the tip of the big toe: expression of CD10 and nestin. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2008;22(02):255-257

18 Varikatt W, Soper J, Simmons G, Dave C, Munk J, Bonar F. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: a report of two cases with radiological findings. Skeletal Radiol 2008;37(06):499-503

19 Wang QF, Pu Y, Wu YY, Wang J. [Superficial acral fibromyxoma of finger: report of a case with review of literature]. Zhonghua Bing Li Xue Za Zhi 2009;38(10):682-685

20 Luzar B, Calonje E. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: clinicopathological study of 14 cases with emphasis on a cellular variant. Histopathology 2009;54(03):375-377

21 Chattopadhyay M, Farrant P, Higgins E, Hay R, Calonje E. A nodular lesion of the toe. Superficial acral fibromyxoma (SAF). Clin Exp Dermatol 2010;35(07):807-809

22 Goo J, Jung YJ, Kim JH, Lee SY, Ahn SK. A case of recurrent superficial acral fibromyxoma. Ann Dermatol 2010;22(01):110-113

23 Fanti PA, Dika E, Piraccini BM, Infusino SD, Baraldi C, Misciali C. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: a clinicopathological and immunohistochemical analysis of 12 cases of a distinctive soft tissue tumor with a predilection for the fingers and toes. G Ital Dermatol Venereol 2011;146(04):283-287

24 Park SW, Kim JH, Shin HT, et al. Superficial acral fibromyxoma on the palm. Ann Dermatol 2014;26(01):123-124

25 Agaimy A, Michal M, Giedl J, Hadravsky L, Michal M. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: clinicopathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular study of 11 cases highlighting frequent Rb1 loss/ deletions. Hum Pathol 2017;60:192-198

26 Grigore LE, Baican CI, Botar-Jid C, et al. Clinicopathologic, dermoscopic and ultrasound examination of a rare acral tumour involving the nail - case report and review of the literature. Clujul Med 2016; 89(01):160-164

27 Carranza C, Molina-Ruiz AM, Pérez de la Fuente T, Kutzner H, Requena L, Santonja C. Subungual acral fibromyxomainvolving the bone: a mimicker of malignancy. Am J Dermatopathol 2015; 37(07):555-559

28 DeFroda SF, Starr A, Katarincic JA. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: A case report. J Orthop 2016;14(01):23-25

29 Cogrel O, Stanislas S, Coindre JM, et al. [Superficial acral fibromyxoma: three cases]. Ann Dermatol Venereol 2010;137(12):789-793

30 Sundaramurthy N, Parthasarathy J, Mahipathy SR, Durairaj AR. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: a rare entity - A case report. J Clin Diagn Res 2016;10(09):PD03-PD05

31 Ramya C, Nayak C, Tambe S. Superficial acral fibromyxoma. Indian J Dermatol 2016;61(04):457-459

32 Raghupathi DS, Krishnamurthy J, Kakoti LM. Cytological diagnosis of superficial acral fibromyxoma: A case report. J Cytol 2015;32 (01):39-41

33 Chabbab F, Metz T, Saez Beltran L, Theunis A, Richert B. [Superficial acral fibromyxoma in a submatricial location: An unusual variant]. Ann Dermatol Venereol 2014;141(02):94-105

34 Schwager ZA, Mannava KA, Mannava S, Telang GH, Robinson- Bostom L, Jellinek NJ. Superficial acral fibromyxoma and other slow-growing tumors in acral areas. Cutis 2015;95(02):E15-E19

35 García AM, Mendonça FM, Cejudo MP, Martínez FM, Martín JJ. Superficial Acral Fibromyxoma involving the nail's apparatus. Case report and literature review. An Bras Dermatol 2014;89 (01):147-149

36 Hwang SM, Cho KH, Lim KR, Jung YH, Kim Song J. Superficial acral fibromyxoma on the second toe. Arch Plast Surg 2013;40(04): 477-479

37 Kwok C, Merchant WJ, Hussain W. Superficial acral fibromyxoma presenting as a haemorrhagic pigmented streak on the toenail. Clin Exp Dermatol 2013;38(05):553-554
-3838 Ben Brahim E, Bouabdellah M, Khanchel F, Jouini R, Abdelmoula S, Chadli-Debbiche A. Superficial acral fibromyxoma. Tunis Med 2012;90(04):340-341

Table 1
Distribution of cases of superficial acral fibromyxoma by article, number of cases and location

The mean age at which the diagnosis was made was 47 years and 7 months, but with a large variance; there were cases in people aged between 4 and 91 years.

Out of the 306 cases in which information on gender was available, we found: 61% of cases in men, while women accounted for only 39% of the cases (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1
Percentage of gender in the published cases: men, 188 cases (61%); women, 118 cases (39%). 1- Men (188). 2- Women (118).

Regarding location, we found an almost exclusive incidence in the hands and feet, most commonly in the regions of the fingers (chirodactyls) and toes (pododactyls) . However, cases in which the tumor affected the calf and thigh have also been described.88 Hollmann TJ, Bovée JV, Fletcher CD. Digital fibromyxoma (superficial acral fibromyxoma): a detailed characterization of 124 cases. Am J Surg Pathol 2012;36(06):789-798

The main location of the tumor (Fig. 2) was the pododactyls, which were responsible for 45.8% of the cases; the chirodactyls represented 39.1% of the cases. In 19 cases (6%) information on the location was not available (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2
Location of the tumor in the 314 reported cases: pododactyls, 144 cases (45.4%); chirodactyls, 123 cases (38.8%); unknown, 19 cases (6%); feet, 15 cases (4.7%); palm, 10 cases (3.1%); other, 6 cases (1.9%). 1- Location. 2- Pododactyls 144. 3- Chirodactyls 123. 4- Unknown 19. 5- Feet 15. 6- Palm 10. 7- Other 6.

Typically, SAF is a slow-growing, solitary, usually painless lesion with a consistency between gelatinous and firm, and size between 0.5 and 5 cm.11 Fetsch JF, Laskin WB, Miettinen M. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: a clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis of 37 cases of a distinctive soft tissue tumor with a predilection for the fingers and toes. Hum Pathol 2001;32(07):704-714

2 Ashby-Richardson H, Rogers GS, Stadecker MJ. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: an overview. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2011;135(08): 1064-1066

3 Wakabayashi Y, Nakai N, Takenaka H, Katoh N. Superficial acral fibromyxoma of the great toe: case report and mini-review of the literature. Acta Dermatovenerol Croat 2012;20(04):263-266

4 Messeguer F, Nagore E, Agustí-Mejias A, Traves V. Fibromixoma acral superficial, un tumor periungueal CD34 positivo. Actas Dermosifiliogr 2012;103(01 ):67-69

5 Wei C, Fleegler EJ. Superficial acral fibromyxoma of the thumb. Eplasty 2013;13:ic13

6 Prescott RJ, Husain EA, Abdellaoui A, et al. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: a clinicopathological study of new 41 cases from the U.K.: should myxoma (NOS) and fibroma (NOS) continue as part of 21st- century reporting? Br J Dermatol 2008;159(06):1315-1321

7 Al-Daraji WI, Miettinen M. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: a clinicopathological analysis of 32 tumors including 4 in the heel. J Cutan Pathol 2008;35(11):1020-1026
-88 Hollmann TJ, Bovée JV, Fletcher CD. Digital fibromyxoma (superficial acral fibromyxoma): a detailed characterization of 124 cases. Am J Surg Pathol 2012;36(06):789-798

In the histological examination, SAF is found as an unencapsulated dermis tumor that can extend itself to the subcutaneous tissue, the underlying fascia or the periosteal layer.11 Fetsch JF, Laskin WB, Miettinen M. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: a clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis of 37 cases of a distinctive soft tissue tumor with a predilection for the fingers and toes. Hum Pathol 2001;32(07):704-714 It is composed of star-or spindle-shaped fibroblast tumor cells in a variable degree of mixed myxoid or collagen matrices. As the tumor persists, the collagen matrix tends to become predominant over the myxoid matrix.11 Fetsch JF, Laskin WB, Miettinen M. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: a clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis of 37 cases of a distinctive soft tissue tumor with a predilection for the fingers and toes. Hum Pathol 2001;32(07):704-714 The neoplasia often shows marked microvascularization and mast cells. In almost every case, mitotic figures are infrequent, and nuclear atypia, if present, is mild to moderate.1010 André J, Theunis A, Richert B, de Saint-Aubain N. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: clinical and pathological features. Am J Dermatopathol 2004;26(06):472-474

Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells in SAF show immunoreactivity for CD34, EMA and CD99. In the study by Fetsch et al,11 Fetsch JF, Laskin WB, Miettinen M. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: a clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis of 37 cases of a distinctive soft tissue tumor with a predilection for the fingers and toes. Hum Pathol 2001;32(07):704-714 the positivity was of: 21/23 (91.3%) for CD34; 18/25 (72%) for EMA; and 11/13 (84.6%) for CD99. In the study by Hollmann et al,88 Hollmann TJ, Bovée JV, Fletcher CD. Digital fibromyxoma (superficial acral fibromyxoma): a detailed characterization of 124 cases. Am J Surg Pathol 2012;36(06):789-798 the positivity was of only: 42/61 (68.8%) for CD34 and 3/40 (7.5%) for EMA. No positivity is observed for actin, desmin or cytokeratins.1111 Oteo-Alvaro A, Meizoso T, Scarpellini A, Ballestín C, Pérez-Espejo G. Superficial acral fibromyxoma of the toe, with erosion of the distal phalanx. A clinical report. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 2008; 128(03):271-274

The main differential diagnoses found in the literature are described in Table 2.

Table 2
Main differential diagnoses and their positivity for CD34

The treatment of these tumors typically involves complete excision to prevent malignancy and recurrence, according to 10 studies.11 Fetsch JF, Laskin WB, Miettinen M. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: a clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis of 37 cases of a distinctive soft tissue tumor with a predilection for the fingers and toes. Hum Pathol 2001;32(07):704-714,44 Messeguer F, Nagore E, Agustí-Mejias A, Traves V. Fibromixoma acral superficial, un tumor periungueal CD34 positivo. Actas Dermosifiliogr 2012;103(01 ):67-69,66 Prescott RJ, Husain EA, Abdellaoui A, et al. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: a clinicopathological study of new 41 cases from the U.K.: should myxoma (NOS) and fibroma (NOS) continue as part of 21st- century reporting? Br J Dermatol 2008;159(06):1315-1321,88 Hollmann TJ, Bovée JV, Fletcher CD. Digital fibromyxoma (superficial acral fibromyxoma): a detailed characterization of 124 cases. Am J Surg Pathol 2012;36(06):789-798,1212 Abou-Nukta F, Fiedler P, Parkash V, Arons J. Superficial acral fibromyxoma of the distal phalanx of the thumb. J Hand Surg [Br] 2006;31(06):619-620,2222 Goo J, Jung YJ, Kim JH, Lee SY, Ahn SK. A case of recurrent superficial acral fibromyxoma. Ann Dermatol 2010;22(01):110-113,2626 Grigore LE, Baican CI, Botar-Jid C, et al. Clinicopathologic, dermoscopic and ultrasound examination of a rare acral tumour involving the nail - case report and review of the literature. Clujul Med 2016; 89(01):160-164,2828 DeFroda SF, Starr A, Katarincic JA. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: A case report. J Orthop 2016;14(01):23-25,3030 Sundaramurthy N, Parthasarathy J, Mahipathy SR, Durairaj AR. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: a rare entity - A case report. J Clin Diagn Res 2016;10(09):PD03-PD05,3535 García AM, Mendonça FM, Cejudo MP, Martínez FM, Martín JJ. Superficial Acral Fibromyxoma involving the nail's apparatus. Case report and literature review. An Bras Dermatol 2014;89 (01):147-149

Discussion

Superficial acral fibromyxoma (SAF) is a benign, distinctive, soft, slow-growing tumor with a predilection for the periungual and subungual regions of the hands and feet.3939 Sawaya JL, Khachemoune A. Superficial acral fibromyxoma. Int J Dermatol 2015;54(05):499-508

The tumor is an entity that is difficult to diagnose due to the characteristics it has in common with many different pathologies, which causes a delay in the definitive diagnosis, with cases reported in which the interval between the beginning of the symptomatology and the final diagnosis was superior to 10 years.99 Quaba O, Evans A, Al-Nafussi AA, Nassan A. Superficial acral fibromyxoma. Br J Plast Surg 2005;58(04):561-564,1010 André J, Theunis A, Richert B, de Saint-Aubain N. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: clinical and pathological features. Am J Dermatopathol 2004;26(06):472-474 The late diagnosis is also due to its indolent nature and to the fact that it generally presents low morbidity to the patient. The fact that it is a relatively recently described pathology (2001) that has few cases in the literature helps delay the diagnosis and contributes to the possibility of underdiagnosis.

Regarding the gender of the patients, there is a predominance of approximately 2:1 of males in most of the studies evaluated;4040 Ashby-Richardson H, Rogers GS, Stadecker MJ. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: an overview. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2011;135(08): 1064-1066 in the present review, it was of 1.59:1: we found 61% of incidence in males, 39% in females, in a population of 306 cases in which information on gender was available (Fig. 1).

To date, no other risk factors have been reported.3939 Sawaya JL, Khachemoune A. Superficial acral fibromyxoma. Int J Dermatol 2015;54(05):499-508

Regarding location, there is a predominance of the acral regions of the hands and feet, but SAF can be found in other places, such as the legs, thighs and ankles, as reported in three works.77 Al-Daraji WI, Miettinen M. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: a clinicopathological analysis of 32 tumors including 4 in the heel. J Cutan Pathol 2008;35(11):1020-1026,88 Hollmann TJ, Bovée JV, Fletcher CD. Digital fibromyxoma (superficial acral fibromyxoma): a detailed characterization of 124 cases. Am J Surg Pathol 2012;36(06):789-798,2525 Agaimy A, Michal M, Giedl J, Hadravsky L, Michal M. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: clinicopathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular study of 11 cases highlighting frequent Rb1 loss/ deletions. Hum Pathol 2017;60:192-198

Due to the heterogeneity in presentation and clinical and histological characteristics, SAF should always be part of the differential diagnosis when evaluating a lesion in the acral regions of the hands and feet.

The diagnosis is of clinical suspicion and histopathological confirmation, but other diagnostic methods have been described as auxiliary, such as simple radiography, ultrasonography and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).88 Hollmann TJ, Bovée JV, Fletcher CD. Digital fibromyxoma (superficial acral fibromyxoma): a detailed characterization of 124 cases. Am J Surg Pathol 2012;36(06):789-798,4141 Baek HJ, Lee SJ, Cho KH, et al. Subungual tumors: clinicopathologic correlation with US and MR imaging findings. Radiographics 2010;30(06):1621-1636,4242 Bindra J, Doherty M, Hunter JC. Superficial acral fibromyxoma. Radiol Case Rep 2015;7(03):751

Simple radiography of the site has been useful in determining bone involvement (36% of cases in the study by Hollmann et al88 Hollmann TJ, Bovée JV, Fletcher CD. Digital fibromyxoma (superficial acral fibromyxoma): a detailed characterization of 124 cases. Am J Surg Pathol 2012;36(06):789-798 presented erosive or lytic bone lesions).88 Hollmann TJ, Bovée JV, Fletcher CD. Digital fibromyxoma (superficial acral fibromyxoma): a detailed characterization of 124 cases. Am J Surg Pathol 2012;36(06):789-798 Soft-tissue masses usually do not present calcification on single radiographs. However, they are responsible for the erosion of the underlying cortical bone, which may be present. In the diagnostic suspicion, complementation with simple radiographs is imperative, since bone involvement may alter the estimated extent of the lesion as well as the therapeutic planning, as observed by Varikatt et al.1818 Varikatt W, Soper J, Simmons G, Dave C, Munk J, Bonar F. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: a report of two cases with radiological findings. Skeletal Radiol 2008;37(06):499-503

Ultrasound examination can add important information about tumor mass size, location, shape and mass content. Associated with complementation through the vascular study provided by color Doppler, the vascular pattern can be defined as aiding in the therapeutic decision. The ultrasound also has its use associated to the monitoring and relapses of surgically-treated lesions.4141 Baek HJ, Lee SJ, Cho KH, et al. Subungual tumors: clinicopathologic correlation with US and MR imaging findings. Radiographics 2010;30(06):1621-1636

On magnetic resonance imaging, SAF classically demonstrates homogeneous hyperintensity in T2-weighted images and increased contrast to normal tissue on postcontrast magnetic resonance imaging.4242 Bindra J, Doherty M, Hunter JC. Superficial acral fibromyxoma. Radiol Case Rep 2015;7(03):751

Histopathologically, SAF is described in most studies as a well-circumscribed, unencapsulated dermal tumor composed of star- or spindle-shaped cells in a loose fascicular arrangement embedded in a myxoid, myxocollagenous, or collagen-only stroma. It usually occupies the entire dermis, and can extend to the subcutaneous tissue or occasionally into the fascia and bones.1010 André J, Theunis A, Richert B, de Saint-Aubain N. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: clinical and pathological features. Am J Dermatopathol 2004;26(06):472-474

Tumor cells in SAF show immunoreactivity for CD34, EMA and CD99.11 Fetsch JF, Laskin WB, Miettinen M. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: a clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis of 37 cases of a distinctive soft tissue tumor with a predilection for the fingers and toes. Hum Pathol 2001;32(07):704-714 Although the immunoreactivity is diffuse and relatively strong for CD34 and CD99, in the case of EMA it is somewhat more variable. Recently, some tumors have also shown focal reactivity to smooth-muscle actin and desmin, although this is not considered a general characteristic.11 Fetsch JF, Laskin WB, Miettinen M. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: a clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis of 37 cases of a distinctive soft tissue tumor with a predilection for the fingers and toes. Hum Pathol 2001;32(07):704-714,88 Hollmann TJ, Bovée JV, Fletcher CD. Digital fibromyxoma (superficial acral fibromyxoma): a detailed characterization of 124 cases. Am J Surg Pathol 2012;36(06):789-798,4343 Durda J, Kazlouskaya V, Blochin E, Maguire CA, Elston D. Dermpath quiz. Indian Dermatol Online J 2013;4(03):244-245

The differential diagnosis includes a variety of fibromyxoid or myxoid proliferations. Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) may have extensive myxoid areas that may mimic SAF. This fact, in combination with the expression of CD34 and EMA by both entities, makes it a differential diagnostic challenge.4444 Mentzel T, Scharer L, Kazakov DV, Michal M. Myxoid dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular analysis of eight cases. Am J Dermatopathol 2007;29 (05):443-448

Other myxoid sarcomas, such as myxofibrosarcoma, may be distinguished by the presence of greater cytologic atypia, larger numbers of mitotic cells, and atypical mitotic forms.88 Hollmann TJ, Bovée JV, Fletcher CD. Digital fibromyxoma (superficial acral fibromyxoma): a detailed characterization of 124 cases. Am J Surg Pathol 2012;36(06):789-798

Myxoid neurofibroma usually has a neural appearance, without increased vascularization. The tumors are characterized by cells that are positive for S100 mixed with CD34-positive fibroblastic cells, which differs from SAFs, which are S100-negative and have concentrated microvasculature.1010 André J, Theunis A, Richert B, de Saint-Aubain N. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: clinical and pathological features. Am J Dermatopathol 2004;26(06):472-474,1111 Oteo-Alvaro A, Meizoso T, Scarpellini A, Ballestín C, Pérez-Espejo G. Superficial acral fibromyxoma of the toe, with erosion of the distal phalanx. A clinical report. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 2008; 128(03):271-274

Fibroma of the tendon sheath is a solitary, slow-growing, subcutaneous tumor with a predilection for the fingers, hands and wrists of middle-aged adults. It is more common in men. In general, the tumors are grayish-white, well-circumscribed, and attached to a tendon sheath. In contrast to the cell proliferation of star- or spindle-shaped cells like fibroblasts, as observed in SAF, this tumor presents sparse star-shaped cells embedded in a fibrocollagenous matrix with dilated or slit-like vascular channels.4545 Weedon D. Skin pathology. 2nd ed. London: Elsevier Science Ltd; 2002

Giant-cell tumor of the tendon sheath is a slow growing benign tumor with a predilection for the dorsal surface of the finger, near the distal interphalangeal joint in young adults. The tumors are lobulated, grayish-brown, and are usually attached to a tendon sheath. Histologically, they are spindle-shaped and are mixed in a collagen stroma. Multinucleated giant cells are characteristic. Hemosiderin pigment, xanthoma cells and chronic inflammatory cells are also a common finding. Mononuclear cells show immunoreactivity for CD68, but not for EMA, CD34 or smooth-muscle actin.4545 Weedon D. Skin pathology. 2nd ed. London: Elsevier Science Ltd; 2002

Glomus tumor is an extremely painful, solitary, subcutaneous mass that involves the fingers and toes in middle-aged adults. The subungual region may be affected. The tumor cells show immunoreactivity to vimentin and smooth-muscle actin in the cytoplasm.4545 Weedon D. Skin pathology. 2nd ed. London: Elsevier Science Ltd; 2002

In short, SAF should be included in the differential diagnosis of any slow-growing mass or nodule located in the periungual or subungual regions of the fingers and toes, as recommended in the studies evaluated in the present review.44 Messeguer F, Nagore E, Agustí-Mejias A, Traves V. Fibromixoma acral superficial, un tumor periungueal CD34 positivo. Actas Dermosifiliogr 2012;103(01 ):67-69,88 Hollmann TJ, Bovée JV, Fletcher CD. Digital fibromyxoma (superficial acral fibromyxoma): a detailed characterization of 124 cases. Am J Surg Pathol 2012;36(06):789-798,1010 André J, Theunis A, Richert B, de Saint-Aubain N. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: clinical and pathological features. Am J Dermatopathol 2004;26(06):472-474,1111 Oteo-Alvaro A, Meizoso T, Scarpellini A, Ballestín C, Pérez-Espejo G. Superficial acral fibromyxoma of the toe, with erosion of the distal phalanx. A clinical report. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 2008; 128(03):271-274,2222 Goo J, Jung YJ, Kim JH, Lee SY, Ahn SK. A case of recurrent superficial acral fibromyxoma. Ann Dermatol 2010;22(01):110-113,3434 Schwager ZA, Mannava KA, Mannava S, Telang GH, Robinson- Bostom L, Jellinek NJ. Superficial acral fibromyxoma and other slow-growing tumors in acral areas. Cutis 2015;95(02):E15-E19,3535 García AM, Mendonça FM, Cejudo MP, Martínez FM, Martín JJ. Superficial Acral Fibromyxoma involving the nail's apparatus. Case report and literature review. An Bras Dermatol 2014;89 (01):147-149,4242 Bindra J, Doherty M, Hunter JC. Superficial acral fibromyxoma. Radiol Case Rep 2015;7(03):751

The treatment of these tumors involves surgical excision to prevent malignancy and recurrence. Although the tumor does not show evidence of aggressive behavior, the presence of cytologic atypia in a small number of cases makes the malignant transformation potential unclear.11 Fetsch JF, Laskin WB, Miettinen M. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: a clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis of 37 cases of a distinctive soft tissue tumor with a predilection for the fingers and toes. Hum Pathol 2001;32(07):704-714

No cases of malignancy have been reported in the literature.1010 André J, Theunis A, Richert B, de Saint-Aubain N. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: clinical and pathological features. Am J Dermatopathol 2004;26(06):472-474

Regular follow-up after excision is justified, as the reported recurrence rate may reach 24%, mainly due to incomplete excision.55 Wei C, Fleegler EJ. Superficial acral fibromyxoma of the thumb. Eplasty 2013;13:ic13

6 Prescott RJ, Husain EA, Abdellaoui A, et al. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: a clinicopathological study of new 41 cases from the U.K.: should myxoma (NOS) and fibroma (NOS) continue as part of 21st- century reporting? Br J Dermatol 2008;159(06):1315-1321

7 Al-Daraji WI, Miettinen M. Superficial acral fibromyxoma: a clinicopathological analysis of 32 tumors including 4 in the heel. J Cutan Pathol 2008;35(11):1020-1026
-88 Hollmann TJ, Bovée JV, Fletcher CD. Digital fibromyxoma (superficial acral fibromyxoma): a detailed characterization of 124 cases. Am J Surg Pathol 2012;36(06):789-798

Conclusion

Superficial acral fibromyxoma is a single soft-tissue tumor with a predilection for the periungual and subungual acral regions. It presents a clinical picture and histopathological characteristics like other dermatological conditions, which makes its final diagnosis difficult.

The methods described in the literature that support the diagnostic definition are imaging tests, histopathological evaluations, and immunohistochemical studies.

Currently, the treatment for SAF is limited to simple excision, with a significant relapse rate and unknown malignancy.

  • *
    Work developed at the Group of Hand Surgery and Microsurgery, Hospital Santa Marcelina de Itaquera, São Paulo, SP, Brazil Published Originally by Elsevier Editora Ltda.

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    14 Nov 2019
  • Date of issue
    Sep-Oct 2019

History

  • Received
    13 Aug 2017
  • Accepted
    31 Oct 2017
Sociedade Brasileira de Ortopedia e Traumatologia Al. Lorena, 427 14º andar, 01424-000 São Paulo - SP - Brasil, Tel.: 55 11 2137-5400 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: rbo@sbot.org.br