Hormone-dependent, aggressive angiomyxoma of the vulva

Abstract

Background: Aggressive angiomyxoma is a rare neoplasm of undetermined etiology that occurs mainly in the female vulva and perineum. It tends to recur but does not metastasize. This case report describes findings suggestive of the possible hormone dependency of this neoplasm.

Case: A 41-year-old gravid woman developed an aggressive angiomyxoma of the left vulva with growth apparently related to the length of the pregnancy. The neoplasm marked strongly for progesterone receptors by immunohistochemical methods but was estrogen-receptor negative.

Conclusion: The growth of the neoplasm during pregnancy and the nuclear-positive staining for progesterone receptors suggest a possible hormone (progesterone) dependency for at least some cases of aggressive angiomyxoma.