Glomus tumor pathophysiology

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Soujanya Thummathati, MBBS [2]

Overview

Glomus tumor arises from modified smooth muscle cells of glomus body (or glomus apparatus). Glomus body is a neuromyoarterial plexus in the dermis of skin that is normally involved in thermoregulation. Gene involved in the pathogenesis of familial glomangioma is ''glomulin'' (''GLMN'') gene. *On gross pathology, small (usually less than 1 cm), bluish or whitish, well circumscribed, solitary nodules are characteristic findings of glomus tumor. On microscopic histopathological analysis, branching vascular channels and aggregates of specialised glomus cells are characteristic findings of glomus tumor.

Pathophysiology

• Glomus tumor arises from modified smooth muscle cells of glomus body (or glomus apparatus).
• Glomus body is a neuromyoarterial plexus in the dermis of skin that is normally involved in thermoregulation.

Genetics

• Familial glomangioma is a variant of glomus tumor where the patient presents with multiple glomus tumors.
• Gene involved in the pathogenesis of familial glomangioma is ''glomulin'' (''GLMN'') gene.
  • Mutations are associated with multiple deletions in the glomulin gene of chromosome 1p21-22.
  • Inheritance is autosomal dominant with incomplete penetrance.

Gross Pathology

• On gross pathology, small (usually less than 1 cm), bluish or whitish, well circumscribed, solitary nodules are characteristic findings of glomus tumor.
• Multiple glomus tumors are usually less circumscribed and less solid than the solitary glomus tumors.

Microscopic Findings

• On microscopic histopathological analysis, characteristic findings of glomus tumor include:
  • Branching vascular channels
  • Aggregates of specialised glomus cells
  • Inconspicuous to well-defined nucleoli

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  Intermediate magnification micrograph of a glomus tumor. H&E stain.

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  High magnification micrograph of a glomus tumor. H&E stain.

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  Very high magnification micrograph of a glomus tumor. H&E stain.

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