Fibroid polyps of intestinal tract are inflammatory-reactive proliferations of CD34-positive perivascular cells.
AIMS: Our aim was to determine the histogenesis of fibroid polyps (FP). These polyps are rare inflammatory-reactive, tumour-like lesions of unknown aetiology, arising in the submucosa or mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract. They are mainly due to a proliferation of characteristic spindle cells. METHODS AND RESULTS: Nine FP were investigated by light microscopy and immunohistochemistry with endothelial markers (Factor VIII, CD34, CD31), a neuronal marker (S100), muscular markers (desmin, alpha-smooth muscle actin) and histiocytic markers (PGMI, KP1, MAC387) using the highly sensitive avidin-biotin-peroxidase technique. We demonstrate, for the first time, a consistent positivity of the characteristic spindle cells of FP for CD34. The proposed endothelial, histiocytic or neuronal origin of FP could be completely ruled out. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the consistent positivity of the spindle cells of FP for CD34 we suggest an origin of these lesions from primitive perivascular or vascular cells. This origin and a probable relationship to gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) is discussed.