APC-Mutated MUC4-Positive Fibroblastoma With Cytoplasmic β-Catenin: A Novel Variant Expanding Its Immunophenotypic Spectrum
MUC4-positive fibroblastoma is a newly characterized fibroblastic neoplasm, typically presenting as a bland spindle cell tumor with diffuse cytoplasmic MUC4 expression, nuclear β‑catenin positivity, and <i>APC</i> gene alterations. We report a novel case in a 34-year-old woman demonstrating diffuse cytoplasmic MUC4 expression but negative cytoplasmic β‑catenin staining, with molecular confirmation of biallelic <i>APC</i> inactivation. This finding broadens the known immunophenotypic spectrum of MUC4-positive fibroblastoma and challenges current assumptions regarding β‑catenin localization in <i>APC</i>-altered soft tissue tumors. Additional clinical, radiologic, and long-term follow-up data may help refine our understanding of the biological behavior and diagnostic boundaries of this emerging entity.
Authors
- Amanda A. Onalaja-Underwood (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2563-9958)
- Rana Naous
Institutions
- The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Cureus
- Published
- 2026-01-29
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.102576
- Primary Topic
- Soft tissue tumor case studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00