Summary
A series of 129 soft tissue sarcomas was examined ultrastructurally to determine in which neoplasms and to what extent myofibroblasts could be demonstrated. Twenty cases of fibromatosis and fasciitis served as controls.
Myofibroblasts were identified in all 30 cases of malignant fibrous histiocytoma and all 4 cases of well-differentiated sclerosing liposarcoma. Though most numerous in areas of desmoplasia, in no instance did myofibroblasts constitute the dominant cellular constituent of either neoplasm. Myofibroblasts were identified with lesser frequency and in smaller numbers in fibrosarcoma, synovial sarcoma, malignant hemangiopericytoma and neuroblastoma. None were observed in a wide assortment of diverse sarcomas in which desmoplasia was not a feature. In comparison each lesion judged by light microscopy to represent either fibromatosis or fasciitis was composed principally of myofibroblasts.
The demonstration of abundant myofibroblasts within a soft tissue lesion which has been subjected to wide sampling strongly suggests a benign proliferative process as opposed to a malignant neoplasm. It is hypothesized that myofibroblasts observed within collagenized regions of soft tissue sarcomas may constitute an expression of host response to neoplasia.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alguacil-Garcia A, Unni KK, Goellner JR (1978) Malignant fibrous histiocytoma: An ultrastructural study of six cases. Am J Clin Pathol 69:121–129
Baur PS, Larson DL, Stacey TR (1975) The observation of myofibroblasts in hypertrophic scars. Surg Gynecol Obstet 141:22–26
Bhawan J, Bacchetta C, Joris I, Majno G (1979) A myofibroblastic tumor: Infantile digital fibroma (Recurrent digital fibrous tumor of childhood). Amer J Pathol 94:19–36
Bonenfant J-L, Lagacé R (1975) Lésions pseudotumorales du tissue conjonctif dense. Essai d'interprétation pathogénique. Ann Anat Pathol 20:417–436
Churg AM, Kahn LB (1977) Myofibroblasts and related cells in malignant fibrous and fibrohistiocytic tumors. Hum Pathol 8:205–218
Crocker DJ, Murad TM (1969) Ultrastructure of fibrosarcoma in a male breast. Cancer 23:891–899
Folkman J, Marler E, Abernathy C, Williams G (1971) Isolation of a tumor factor responsible for angiogenesis. J Exp Med 133:275–288
Gabbiani G. Hirschel BJ, Ryan GB, Statkov PR, Majno G (1972) Granulation tissue as a contractile organ. A study of structure and function. J Exp Med 135:719–734
Gabbiani G, Le Lous M, Bailey AJ, Bazin S, Delaunay A (1976) Collagen and myofibroblasts of granulation tissue. A chemical, ultrastructural and immunological study. Virchows Archiv [Cell Pathol] 21:133–145
Gabbiani G, Majno G (1972) Dupuytren's contracture: Fibroblast contraction? Amer J Pathol 66:131–146
Harris M (1980) The ultrastructure of benign and malignant fibrous histiocytomas. Histopathology 4:29–44
Ioachim HL (1976) The stromal reaction of tumors: An expression of immune surveillance. J Natl Cancer Inst 57:465–470
Jakobiec FA, Tannenbaum M (1974) The ultrastructure of oribital fibrosarcoma. Am J Ophthalmol 77:899–917
Kindblom L-G, Merck C, Angervall L (1979) The ultrastructure of myxofibrosarcoma: A study of 11 cases. Virchows Arch [Pathol Anat] 381:121–139
Lagacé R, Bouchard H-L, Seemayer TA (1979) Desmoplastic fibroma of bone: An ultrastructural study. Am J Surg Pathol 3, 423–430
Limacher J, Delage C, Lagacé R (1978) Malignant fibrous histiocytoma: Clinicopathologic and ultrastructural study of 12 cases. Am J Surg Pathol 2:265–274
Majno G, Gabbiani G, Hirschel BJ, Ryan GB, Statkov PR (1971) Contraction of granulation tissue in vitro: Similarity to smooth muscle. Science 173:548–555
Ramos CV, Gillespie W, Narconis RJ (1978) Elastofibroma. A pseudotumor of myofibroblasts. Arch Pathol Lab Med 102:538–540
Reddick RL, Michelitch H, Triche TJ (1979) Malignant soft tissue tumors (malignant fibrous histiocytoma, pleomorphic liposarcoma and pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma). An electron microscopic study. Hum Pathol 10:327–343
Rudolph R, Guber S, Suzuki M, Woodward M (1977) The life cycle of the myofibroblast. Surg Gynecol Obstet 145:389–394
Ryan GB, Cliff WJ, Gabbiani G, Irlé C, Statkov PR, Majno G (1978) Myofibroblasts in an avascular fibrous tissue. Lab Invest 29:197–206
Ryan GB, Cliff WJ, Gabbiani G, Irlé C, Montandon D, Statkov PR, Majno G (1974) Myofibroblasts in human granulation tissue. Hum Pathol 5:55–67
Seemayer TA, Lagacé R, Schürch W, Tremblay G (1979) Myofibroblasts in the stroma of invasive and metastatic carcinoma: A possible host response to neoplasia. Am J Surg Pathol 3:525–533
Seemayer TA, Lagacé R, Schürch W (1980) On the pathogenesis of nodularity and sclerosis in nodular sclerosing Hodgkin's disease. Virchows Arch [Pathol Anat] 385:283–291
Taxy JB (1977) Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma. An ultrastructural study. Cancer 39:1044–1054
Taxy JB, Battifora H (1977) Malignant fibrous histiocytoma. An electron microscopic study. Cancer 40:254–267
Vasudev KS, Harris M (1978) A sarcoma of myofibroblasts: An ultrastructural study. Arch Pathol Lab Med 102:185–188
Weiss SW, Enzinger FM (1978) Malignant fibrous histiocytoma: An analysis of 200 cases. Cancer 41:2250–2266
Wirman JA (1976) Nodular fasciitis, a lesion of myofibroblasts. An ultrastructural study. Cancer 38:2378–2389
Wissler RW (1967) The arterial medial cell, smooth muscle or multifunctional mesenchyme? Circulation 36:1–4
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lagacé, R., Schürch, W. & Seemayer, T.A. Myofibroblasts in soft tissue sarcomas. Virchows Arch. A Path. Anat. and Histol. 389, 1–11 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00428664
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00428664