Intracranial malignant fibrous histiocytoma: characterization of GFAP-positive cells in the tumor

Clin Neuropathol. 1994 Nov-Dec;13(6):315-22.

Abstract

A case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) arising in the cerebellopontine angle of a 57-year-old woman was reported. The immunohistochemical and electron microscopic findings indicated distinct fibrohistiocytic nature and myofibroblastic differentiation of this peculiar tumor. Immunohistochemistry disclosed that the tumor cells expressed monocyte/macrophage markers including CD-68, MAC 387, and alpha-1-antichymotrypsin. In addition, the neoplasm contained scattered glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive cells which made small nests in some areas. These GFAP-positive cells had bundles of densely packed intermediate filaments and scanty organellae in the cytoplasm, as demonstrated by an immunostained-semithin and serial-ultrathin section method. By immunostaining of MIB-1 and GFAP, and silver nucleolar organizer region (AgNOR) impregnation on serial sections, the GFAP-positive cells were not labeled by MIB-1 and their AgNOR counts averaged 1.13/nucleus. Thus, these GFAP-positive cells seem to have lower proliferating activity than neoplastic astrocytes. It is concluded that they may be nonneoplastic astrocytic cells involved by MFH.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Brain Neoplasms / ultrastructure*
  • Cerebellopontine Angle / ultrastructure*
  • Female
  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein
  • Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous / ultrastructure*
  • Humans
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein