Ashley Choe
Multicentric Myofibromatosis 15 Years
After Initial Presentation
SchoolKirtland High School • Kirtland, Ohio
ProgramScience Internship
MentorFrank Papay, MD
DepartmentDermatology and Plastics Institute, Cleveland Clinic
- Research
- Multicentric Myofibromatosis 15 Years After Initial Presentation
- Hypothesis
- Myofibromatosis is a rare fibrous tumor distinguished by its benign nature and tendency to involute and regress on its own. Typically images (MRI, CT, etc.) are taken of the myofibroma site to identify its location, while multiple tumors can be detected through full body imaging. The current study was undertaken to assess risk of tumor reappearance based on the initial presentation.
- Methodology
- Over 15 published case studies were analyzed, involving 58 patients diagnosed with some form of myofibromatosis. Patient data were organized by gender, age of initial onset, visceral involvement, solitary or multicentric, recurrences, reappearances, tests/treatments, locations, and any change from the original diagnosis. The data were analyzed to assess risk and probability of visceral involvement and reappearances later in life.
- Outcomes
- 12% of the patients in this study had reappearances, and of this twelve percent, 29% of these reappearances involved viscera. Of all those reappearances that involved viscera, 100% had involved viscera in the initial diagnosis. The analysis suggests that full body imaging and testing should be administered periodically for an extended time frame, especially to establish decreased risk for visceral involvement later in life.
