Difficulties in diagnosing a myofibroblastic lung tumor in a child

Abstract

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (VMO) is a rare neoplasm, which is currently referred to as a mesenchymal neoplasm with intermediate biological potential. The tumor consists of differentiated myofibroblastic fusiform cells. The frequency of occurrence of VMO among primary lung neoplasms is up to 1%. This type of tumor is the most common type of primary lung tumors in children. VMO can occur both in childhood and in adulthood. VMO is found in the soft tissues of the abdominal cavity, in the pelvic organs, larynx, mammary gland, head and neck tissues. Extra-organ localization (retroperitoneal space, mediastinum) is also diagnosed. Lung VMO often has no clinical manifestations, and if present has nonspecific symptoms, such as cough, hemoptysis, shortness of breath, hyperthermia, chest pain. VMO was previously considered as a neoplasm with a benign course, but these tumors tend to local relapses and distant metastasis. The article presents data on the prevalence, clinical manifestations and treatment of VMO, as well as own clinical observation of the course of this disease in an 8-year-old child.

Keywords

• inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor
• children
• rare tumors