Atrophic dermatofibroma. Elastophagocytosis by the tumor cells

Abstract

A 55-year-old woman presented with an asymptomatic red plaque on the left upper back for 6 or 7 years. The lesion was depressed in response to finger pressure. The clinical diagnosis was anetoderma. Histopathologically, the characteristic cells of cellular dermatofibroma proliferated within the thinned dermis, which showed atrophy of about 60 or 70%. The proliferated cells were positive for factor XIIIa and negative for CD34. The involved dermis showed the loss of elastic fibers on elastica van Gieson stain. Electron microscopically, the proliferating cells phagocytized the elastic fibers. We report a typical case of atrophic dermatofibroma and show the possibility that the cause of this disease might be elastophagocytosis between the collagen fibers by the dermatofibroma cells.

Atrophic dermatofibroma

“…4,7 Immuno histochemical examination reveals positivity for factor XIIIa and negative for CD34, the opposite of what is observed in dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans in its atrophic variety. The other findings are similar to those of typical dermatofibromas.…”

“…reported a typical case of atrophic dermatofibroma which proved to be elastophagocytosis of the collagen fibers, a possible cause of this variant. 7 In 2003, Capt proposed that inhibition of platelet-derived growth factor beta (PDGFB) receptor could be the cause of the atrophy, resulting in alteration of the composition of the stroma. 8 …”

“…Histopathologically, this disorder presents as a reduction of at least 50% of the thickness of the dermis relative to the adjacent dermis 7,9 Specific staining for elastic fibers, such as van Gieson or Orcein, reveals a reduction or abolition of these. 4,7 Immuno histochemical examination reveals positivity for factor XIIIa and negative for CD34, the opposite of what is observed in dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans in its atrophic variety.…”

Nano-hole induction by nanodiamond and nanoplatinum liquid, DPV576, reverses multidrug resistance in human myeloid leukemia (HL60/AR)

“…Cancer cells have been shown to phagocytize microorganisms and other cells, and subsequently, vacuoles can be seen in these cancer cells. Many tumor cells exhibit phagocytic activity, including: phagocytosis of titanium particles by sarcoma L929 cells; 43 elastic fibers by dermatofibroma cells; 44 erythrocytes and bacteria by adenocarcinomas; 45,46 Candida albicans by lymphatic tumor cells; 47 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae by human breast, oral, and colon cancer cells. 48,49 Cancer cells can also phagocytize other cells such as lymphocytes 50,51 and neutrophils.…”

Supernumerary breast tissue with Toker cells clinically and dermoscopically mimicking atrophic dermatofibroma: The efficacy of estrogen receptor immunoreactivity

“…1b), which were very characteristic findings of dermatofibroma (DF) 11 . Clinical and dermoscopic appearances other than softness were completely consistent with atrophic DF 12 . .…”