Solid glomus tumor presenting as an axillary mass: report of a case with morphologic study, including cytologic characteristics.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Glomus tumors are usually small, painful, subungual nodules causing no diagnostic difficulties. Less obvious is the characterization of the solid, deep-seated variant.

CASE:

A 32-year-old female presented with a solid, painless tumor in the right axillary region. A fine needle aspirate was initially interpreted as ectopic breast tissue. Subsequent morphologic studies on the lumpectomy specimen revealed a solid glomus tumor.

CONCLUSION:

The cytologic appearance of glomus tumors is at most suggestive. Whenever the diagnosis is considered, appropriate immunohistochemical studies should be added to consolidate it.

• Authors: S Holck, J L Bredesen
• Journal: Acta cytologica (Acta Cytol) 1996 May-Jun Vol. 40 Issue 3 Pg. 555-62 ISSN: 0001-5547 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 8669195 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Actins
• Vimentin

Topics

• Actins (analysis)
• Adult
• Axilla (pathology)
• Biopsy, Needle
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Female
• Glomus Tumor (chemistry, diagnosis, pathology)
• Humans
• Immunohistochemistry
• Lymph Nodes (pathology)
• Mast Cells (pathology)
• Mastectomy, Segmental
• Staining and Labeling
• Vimentin (analysis)