Malignant glomus tumor arising in association with a fumarate hydratase-deficient leiomyoma: An unusual collision tumor

Emma L. Short, Suzanna J. Logan, Judith Jebastin Thangaiah, Andrew L. Folpe*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Collision tumors, defined as “two independent neoplasms that occur in close proximity to one another but maintain distinct boundaries,” are quite rare. We report an exceptional collision tumor composed of a genetically confirmed malignant glomus tumor and a fumarate hydratase (FH)-deficient leiomyoma, presenting as a subcutaneous thigh mass in a 38-year-old male who was known to have hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell carcinoma syndrome. Microscopic examination identified a biphasic subcutaneous mass comprising sheets and nodules of glomus cells, with nuclear atypia and mitotic activity, and fascicles of mitotically inactive smooth muscle with variably pleomorphic nuclei and intracytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusions, features of FH-deficient leiomyoma. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated loss of FH and robust 2-succinocysteine expression in the smooth muscle, with a normal (FH-retained) expression pattern in the glomus tumor. Next-generation sequencing, performed on the glomus tumor component, identified CARMN::NOTCH2 fusion, characteristic of malignant glomus tumors. Awareness of the distinctive morphologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular genetic features of glomus tumors and FH-deficient leiomyomas is important for correct clinical management of patients with exceptional collision tumors of this type.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)272-275
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Cutaneous Pathology
Volume51
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 23 Dec 2023
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • 2-succinocysteine
  • collision tumor
  • fumarate hydratase
  • glomus tumor
  • hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell carcinoma syndrome
  • immunohistochemistry
  • leiomyoma
  • molecular genetics

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