LMNA‐NTRK1 rearranged mesenchymal tumor (lipofibromatosis‐like neural tumor) mimicking pigmented dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans

• Published in: Journal of cutaneous pathology Vol. 48; no. 2; pp. 290 - 294
• Main Authors: Panse, Gauri, Reisenbichler, Emily, Snuderl, Matija, Wang, Wei‐Lien, Laskin, William, Jour, George
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.02.2021; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Adipose tissue; CD34 antigen; Cell proliferation; Dendritic cells; Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans; Differential diagnosis; Follicles; Gene rearrangement; Hybridization; lipofibromatosis‐like neural tumor; LMNA; Melanoma; Mesenchyme; Mimicry; Neoplasia; Nodules; NTRK; NTRK1; Peripheral nerves; Protein-tyrosine kinase; Ribonucleic acid; RNA; Scalp; Sox10 protein; Tumors; NTRK1; lipofibromatosis-like neural tumor; NTRK; LMNA
• ISSN: 0303-6987; 1600-0560
• DOI: 10.1111/cup.13772

We present the case of a 31‐year‐old female with a 1.5 cm pigmented nodule on the scalp. Histopathological examination revealed a proliferation of relatively bland spindle cells and pigmented dendritic cells, with interspersed lymphoid follicles diffusely infiltrating the adipose tissue. The microscopic differential diagnosis included pigmented dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP). The spindle cells showed S‐100 and CD34 labeling but were negative for SOX‐10. Immunohistochemical stain for pan‐TRK was positive, while fluorescence in‐situ hybridization for PDGFB gene rearrangement was negative. Targeted RNA sequencing revealed an LMNA‐NTRK1 (exon2/exon10) fusion. This molecular result coupled with the histopathological findings and immunohistochemical profile supported the diagnosis of the recently characterized NTRK‐rearranged spindle cell neoplasm termed “lipofibromatosis‐like neural tumor (LPF‐NT).” These neoplasms typically occur in superficial soft tissue and are characterized by a distinctive immunoprofile (CD34+, S‐100+, SOX10−). Histopathological differential diagnosis for LPF‐NT tumors includes lipofibromatosis, DFSP, low‐grade malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, and spindle cell/desmoplastic melanoma. The pigmented dendritic cells reminiscent of pigmented DFSP and lymphoid follicles noted in our case have not been previously reported in LPF‐NT, thus expanding the morphological spectrum of this entity. LMNA‐NTRK1 fusion serves both as a diagnostic and therapeutic biomarker, as cases with advanced disease may be amenable to targeted therapy using tyrosine kinase inhibitors.