Myointimoma Of The Penis: Review And Update

Myointimoma, which is also referred to angiocentric myofibroblastic tumour, is an uncommon benign soft tissue neoplasm which is derived from intimal cells of the vascular spaces of the corpora cavernosa of the penis, histologically typified by multinodular/plexiform myofibroblastic proliferation within the vascular spaces of cavernous bodies of the penis. Myointimoma could afflict children as well as adult males and it does tend to present as a lump or mass upon the penis that had been noticed recently over a few weeks and which recently had been increasing in size or getting larger within the glans penis. Generally, patients who are afflicted by myointimoma tend to be asymptomatic apart from having noticed a lump in the penis. Diagnosis of myointimoma can be confirmed via pathology examination and immunohistochemistry staining studies and molecular and cytogenetics studies of biopsy specimens or excised specimens of the penile tumour. Total excision alone is stated to be sufficient for the management of myointimoma of the glans penis in view of the fact that the tumour tends to portend a benign indolent cause. Less than 30 cases of myointimoma of the penis had so far been reported in the global literature and for this reason, it would be envisaged that most clinicians in the world have never encountered a case of myointimoma of the penis before and they would tend not to be familiar with the presentation, diagnostic features, treatment, and outcome of the tumour ensuing its treatment. The important thing that needs to be appreciated is the fact that myointimoma of the penis which mimics more common lesions of the penis does require careful pathology examination and a high-index of suspicion by the clinician and the pathologist in order to differentiate myointimoma of the penis from its simulants including: plexiform fibrohistiocytic tumour of penis, epithelioid haemangioendothelioma of penis, myofibroma of the penis, intravascular fasciitis of penis, nerve sheath tumour of penis, leiomyoma of penis as well as various other types of lesions afflicting the penis.