Elastofibroma dorsalis treated by radiotherapy

Abstract

Jarvi and Saxen (1961) described the first four cases of a connective tissue lesion which they named elastofibroma dorsalis. The lesion was constantly situated in the scapular region beneath the rhomboid and latissimus dorsi muscles and often fixed to rib or underlying intercostal ligaments. These tumours were observed in elderly subjects and developed slowly over one to six years. The appearance on surgical exploration was of a firm white mass. Microscopically there were large bands of dense, collagen containing swollen, fragmented elastic fibres and scattered islands of adipose tissue. The lesions were relatively acellular and no bizarre cells or mitotic figures were seen. No recurrence or metastasis occurred after surgical excision. Since that time a further 11 cases have been reported (Stemmermann and Stout, 1962; Delvaux and Lester, 1965; Marston and Wilson Jones, 1965; Brown et al., 1966; Barr, 1966; Mackenzie, Wilson and Cooke, 1968). The clinical and pathological findings were very similar in these cases, with the exception of a tumour described by Barr (1966) which occurred over the greater trochanter of the femur. Surgical excision was used exclusively in the management of these cases. No report of the use of radiation therapy for this tumour has been found by the author.