FOSL1 immunohistochemistry clarifies the distinction between desmoplastic fibroblastoma and fibroma of tendon sheath.

Aims: Although desmoplastic fibroblastoma (DFB) and fibroma of tendon sheath (FTS) are well-established entities, they may show overlapping clinicopathological features. In addition, cytogenetic data showing a shared 11q12 rearrangement in a small number of cases suggest a close link between these entities. A recent microarray study revealed up-regulation of FOSL1 mRNA in DFBs with 11q12 rearrangement. The aim of this study was to clarify the relationship between DFB and FTS.

Methods And Results: We tested 42 cases diagnosed originally as either DFBs or FTSs for interobserver concordance based on the existing histological criteria and correlated the diagnosis with FOSL1 immunohistochemistry. In addition, FOSL1 gene status was determined by chromogenic in-situ hybridization (CISH). Using joint histological evaluation, 41 of 42 tumours were classified unanimously by three pathologists into 25 DFBs and 16 FTSs, whereas only one case received discordant opinions. Immunohistochemically, all DFBs showed diffuse, strong FOSL1 nuclear immunoreactivity (25 of 25, 100%), while none of the FTSs showed such overexpression. None of the selected 42 DFB mimics overexpressed FOSL1. FOSL1 was not rearranged in seven DFBs tested by CISH.

Conclusions: We confirm here that DFB and FTS are two distinct entities that can be distinguished using the existing histological criteria. This distinction corresponds perfectly with FOSL1 immunohistochemical expression status, and diffuse strong FOSL1 expression specific to DFBs sharpens the border between the two categories. FOSL1 overexpression in DFB may not be caused directly by FOSL1 gene rearrangement. FOSL1 may also be a diagnostic aid for differentiating DFB from other histological mimics.