Connective Tissue Tumors
Written by Rhiana Devadasan
CT tumors: a large group of tumors derived from mesenchymal cells.
Mesenchymal Tumors: a large group of tumors, which are a result of the differentiated derivatives of the mesenchyme.
Characteristics of CT tumors:
- Metastasise hematogenously (i.e. via blood vessels)
- Tumors can develop from: connective tissue, fat tissue, muscle tissue, blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, synovial tissue, mesothelial tissue and bone tissue.
- Macroscopically = diffuse structure and cut section is smooth. Appear like fish flesh.
- Microscopically = similar to stroma.
CHARACTERISTICS OF BENIGN:
- named with the suffix -oma
- e.g. lipoma (from fat), fibroma (from connective tissue), leiomyoma (from smooth muscle), chondroma (from cartilage), osteoma (from bone), rhabdomyoma (from striated muscle), haemangioma (blood vessels) and mesothelioma (from mesothelium).
CHARACTERISTICS OF MALIGNANT:
- have the suffix -sarcoma
- E.g. fibrosarcoma, liposarcoma, leiomyosarcoma etc
1) Connective (fibrous) tissue
Benign:
FIBROMA: node of differentiated connective tissue with different directions of the fascicles (bundles). Often in skin or breast.
- Firm – fibrous structures are more abundant than cells
- Soft – loose connective tissue with more stroma cells (fibroblasts and fibrocytes)
Malignant:
FIBROSARCOMA
- Occur in deep soft tissue with increased fibroblastic cells, anaplasia and
- abundant mitotic figures. Looks like a node or encapsulated formation. 3 types:
- DIFFERENTIATED = more fibrous component than cells
- POORLY-DIFFERENTIATED = aka cellular sarcoma. More cells than fibrous component
- UNCLASSIFIED TUMOUR = round cell tumours of unknown origin