Cellular angiofibroma of the vagina: A case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Cellular angiofibroma (CAF), a rare benign mesenchymal tumor, is histologically characterized by abundant thick-walled vessels with a spindle cell component. As one of the female reproductive system tumors, its clinical and pathological features are not well characterized. METHODS: A 47-year-old woman presented for the removal of intrauterine device on October 28, 2021, as she had achieved menopause one year back. The patient had no discomfort or awareness of any mass in her vagina. She has history of breast cancer and papillary thyroid cancer. Till date, no progression of thyroid cancer or breast cancer has been observed. Her menstrual cycle was regular, and she had one child delivered vaginally. RESULTS: Pelvic examination revealed a mass sized 2.5 × 2.0 cm located near the fornix in the upper segment of the left vaginal wall. Thin prep cytologic test (TCT) revealed negative intraepithelial lesion or malignancy (NILM). HPV test was negative and leucorrhea routine inspection cleanliness II degree. No cervical mass was detected by ultrasound examination. The patients underwent the operation for intrauterine device removal plus vaginal tumor resection on November 1, 2021. Postoperative antibiotics (intravenous cefuroxime sodium 0.75 g bid for 1 day) were administered to prevent infection. The patient showed no signs of recurrence at one-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: In summary, CAF is a rare benign soft tissue tumor. Surgery is the only treatment method, and the definitive diagnosis of CAF is based on histopathological examination of surgical specimen. Long-term follow-up is needed for surveillance of recurrence.

[Culture and identification of breast cancer stem cells].

OBJECTIVE: To isolate breast cancer stem cells from breast cancer patients and identify their biological characteristics. METHODS: Mammospheric cells were purified and enriched from the tumor tissues of breast cancer patients using mammosphere culture. Their expressions of CD44 and CD24 were analyzed by flow cytometry, and ALDH1, ESA and Oct4 expressions were determined by Western Blotting. The primary mammospheric and adherent cells, at the density of 2×10(4), 2×10(5) or 2×10(6), were inoculated into NOD/SCID mice to observe their tumorigenic and metastatic activities. RESULTS: With mammosphere culture method, 62.36% of the mammospheric cells showed CD44(+)/CD24(-/low) phenotype. The expressions of ALDH1, ESA and Oct4 in the mammospheric cells were significantly higher than those in the adherent culture-derived breast cancer cells (P<0.05). Primary mammospheric cells were at least 100-fold more tumorigenic than the adherent cells; the mammospheric cells were associated with liver or lung metastases, but the adherent cells were not. CONCLUSION: Mammosphere culture can be employed to obtain breast cancer stem cells from the tumor tissues of breast cancer patients.