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

J Cutan Pathol. 2024 Apr;51(4):272-275. doi: 10.1111/cup.14585. Epub 2023 Dec 23.

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.

Keywords: 2-succinocysteine; collision tumor; fumarate hydratase; glomus tumor; hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell carcinoma syndrome; immunohistochemistry; leiomyoma; molecular genetics.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell*
  • Female
  • Fumarate Hydratase / genetics
  • Glomus Tumor*
  • Humans
  • Kidney Neoplasms*
  • Leiomyomatosis* / genetics
  • Male
  • Sarcoma*
  • Skin Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Uterine Neoplasms* / pathology

Substances

  • Fumarate Hydratase