Desmoplastic Fibroma of the Jaw Bones: a Series of Twenty-Two Cases

Abstract

Desmoplastic fibroma (DF) is an intraosseous counterpart of desmoid-type soft tissue fibromatosis. It is most frequently seen in the jawbones. The clinical and radiological features of the present cases were nonspecific. The accumulation of beta-catenin in the nuclei of neoplastic cells which is a diagnostic feature of desmoid-type soft tissue fibromatosis could not be detectED in the present DF series. The aim of this study is to report a series of 22 cases of DF involving either mandible or maxilla. A retrospective evaluation of desmoplastic fibroma and beta-catenin, smooth muscle actin, nestin, cyclin D1 immunostaining's patterns. Most of the DF cases expressed only cytoplasmic beta-catenin immunostainings. We suggest that nuclear beta-catenin staining may not be used as a corroborating the diagnosis of DF. Immunohistochemical staining difference of jaw bone desmoplastic fibromas from other soft tissue and bone lesions may be related to the origination of jaw bone from The neural crest. Strong nestin and cyclin D1 positivity in our series supported this. A combined clinical, radiological, and histopathological analysis of the DF cases is essential in the diagnosis and management.