Abstract
CONTEXT: Spindle cell lesions comprise a vast plethora of benign and malignant lesions with similar clinical and radiographic features. Their overlapping histopathologic features ensure a diagnostic dilemma. AIM: The current multicentric study aims to delineate fibroblastic and myofibroblastic oral spindle cell lesions based on cytomorphology and comprehensive immunohistochemical analysis. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The experimental study was conducted at MS Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Bangalore, and All India Institute of Applied Sciences, Delhi. METHODS AND MATERIAL: A comprehensive histological scoring criteria and panel of immunohistochemical makers (STAT6, CD31, CD34, S100, SMA, vimentin, pan-CK, HHF-35, Ki67, ALK, desmin, HMB-45, SATB2, ERG, EMA and CD99) were employed concurrently for the first time for fibroblastic and myofibroblastic oral spindle cell lesions. The data obtained was tabulated and studied. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: NA. Results: Using cytological scoring criteria and panel of immunohistochemical makers, the cases analysed and characterized were desmoplastic fibroma, fibrosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, nodular fasciitis, neurofibroma and epithelioid inflammatory myofibroblastic sarcoma (EIMS). CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic strategies need to be upgraded for the diagnosis of spindle cell lesions. Emphasis must be placed on cytomorphology, an immunohistochemistry (IHC) panel of markers is imperative for the accurate diagnosis of fibroblastic and myofibroblastic oral spindle cell lesions.