CD133 Expression in Placenta Chorioangioma Presenting as a Giant Asymptomatic Mass
Gianluca Di Massa,
Guglielmo Stabile,
Federico Romano,
Andrea Balduit,
Alessandro Mangogna,
Beatrice Belmonte,
Pina Canu,
Emma Bertucci,
Giuseppe Ricci,
Tiziana Salviato
Affiliations
Gianluca Di Massa
Department of Diagnostic, Clinic and Public Health Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
Guglielmo Stabile
Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Via dell’Istria, 65/1, 34137 Trieste, Italy
Federico Romano
Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Via dell’Istria, 65/1, 34137 Trieste, Italy
Andrea Balduit
Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
Alessandro Mangogna
Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Via dell’Istria, 65/1, 34137 Trieste, Italy
Beatrice Belmonte
Tumor Immunology Unit, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, 90134 Palermo, Italy
Pina Canu
Department of Diagnostic, Clinic and Public Health Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
Emma Bertucci
Prenatal Medicine Unit, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Mother, Child and Adult, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
Giuseppe Ricci
Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Via dell’Istria, 65/1, 34137 Trieste, Italy
Tiziana Salviato
Department of Diagnostic, Clinic and Public Health Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
Background: Placental chorioangioma is the most common benign non-trophoblastic neoplasm of the placenta. Its clinical relevance lies in the size of the tumor since larger masses cause pregnancy complications, including an unfavorable neonatal outcome. Case presentation: We report the case of a 34-year-old second gravida and nullipara at the 35th week of gestation, admitted to the gynecological department for antibiotic-resistant fever. The cardiotocography performed during hospitalization showed an abnormal fetal pattern. A 2250 g newborn was delivered by cesarean section. No complications were observed during childbirth and postpartum was insignificant. On gross inspection a white fleshy intraparenchymal mass blooming on the maternal surface was noted; routinely stained sections revealed features consistent with chorioangioma with vascular channels lined by inconspicuous endothelial cells immunoreactive for CD31 and CD133. Focal expression of CD133 was also observed in placental villi. Discussion: CD133 expression indicated the presence of stem cells in chorioangioma, suggesting their possible role in the development of mesenchymal lesions including chorioangioma.
