Myofibroma of the gingiva: report of a case

Abstract

Myofibroma is a benign mesenchymal neoplasm composed of myofibroblasts which has been described with different synonyms since the first report in 1951. It occurs most commonly as a solitary lesion of soft tissue, skin, or bone in infancy. The prognosis of oral myofibromas is excellent, and surgical excision is curative. Recurrence is rare. Awareness and recognition of this benign tumor is important to establish the correct diagnosis and avoid morbidity of unnecessary aggressive therapy. This report describes a myofibroma of the gingiva in a 14 year old girl and is reported together with the conventional histologic, and immunohistochemical findings. The tumor showed rapid increase in size and clinical features suggestive of malignancy. However on histopathologic evaluation it was diagnosed as a benign neoplasm, and this diagnosis was supported by immunohistochemical markers. The spindle cells were immunopositive for smooth muscle actin, and vimentin but were negative for desmin and S-100 protein. The patient was treated with surgical excision, and is followed-up for 33 months without any signs of recurrence.