Cellular angiofibroma in women: a review of the literature

Abstract

Cellular Angiofibroma (CA) represents a quite recently described mesenchymal tumour that occurs in both genders, in particular in the vulvo-vaginal region in women and in the inguino-scrotal area in men. The first description of this tumour dates from Nucci et al. article in 1997; since then, the literature reports different reviews and case report of this tumour in both genders, but no article specifically addressing CA treatment and follow-up in women. In this review we collected all 79 published female CA cases, analyzing the clinical, pathological and immunohistochemical features of the tumour.CA affects women mostly during the fifth decade of life, it is generally a small and asymptomatic mass that mainly arises in the vulvo-vaginal region, although there are reported pelvic and extra-pelvic cases. The treatment requires a simple local excision due to an extremely low ability to recurrent locally and no chance to metastasize. Throughout the immunohistochemical and pathological findings it is also easily possible a differential diagnosis from the other soft tissue tumours which affect the vulvo-vaginal area, such as spindle cell lipoma, solitary fibrous tumour, angiomyofibroblastoma and aggressive angiomyxoma.

A rare case of cellular angiofibroma affecting the periurethral region in a 38-year-old woman

“…Pelvic involvement was observed in five cases (four in perineum and one in urethral site) and one case of retroperitoneal CAF in right paravesical space has also been reported 5. The average tumour size ranged from 0.6 to 12.3 cm, with a mean size of 3.6 cm 5. The largest size of CAF in the vulvar region reported by Aydın et al was approximately 20 cm 6…”

“…Extrapelvic involvement (left hip, knee, chest wall, left axilla, breast and left hypochondrium) was observed in six cases. Pelvic involvement was observed in five cases (four in perineum and one in urethral site) and one case of retroperitoneal CAF in right paravesical space has also been reported 5. The average tumour size ranged from 0.6 to 12.3 cm, with a mean size of 3.6 cm 5.…”

“…In a recent literature review, Mandato et al reviewed cases from 1997 to 2014 and found a total of 79 cases of CAF in women 5. The most common area involved was vulvovaginal (44.3%; 35/79 cases), followed by labium majus in particular (22.8%; 18/79).…”

Intratesticular cellular angiofibroma — a rare benign tumour: case report and literature review

“…Other described locations are listed in Table I. Usually described neoplasms are encapsulated and situated in superficial tissues [8]. Cellular angiofibroma is microscopically characterised by mesenchymal spindle-shaped cells, thick-walled blood vessels of small and medium diameter and intracellular substance.…”

“…Cellular angiofibroma is a pathologically and clinically benign tumour, and the treatment of choice is surgical excision [9]. All of such described cases have a good clinical outcome; infiltration or metastatic changes have not been observed [8,11]. Only a single study reporting local recurrence six months after CAF excision has been published [12].…”