GENETICS AND MOLECULAR INSIGHT INTO INFLAMMATORY MYOFIBROBLASTIC TUMOUR OF ORAL CAVITY – A CASE REPORT AND REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Abstract

Introduction: Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour (IMT) is a rare benign mesenchymal neoplasm composed of myofibroblastic spindle cells and inflammatory infiltrate. First described in the lung by Brunn in 1939, it is uncommon in the oral cavity, with only 58 reported cases to date. IMT frequently affects children and young adults and may mimic malignancies clinically and radiographically due to its potential for vascular invasion, aggressive progression, and local recurrence. While its etiology remains unclear, factors such as trauma, Epstein-Barr virus, and ALK gene rearrangements have been implicated. ALK positivity, detected via immunohistochemistry or FISH, is a distinguishing feature in up to 60% of cases.

Case Presentation: A 9-year-old female presenting with a 6-month history of progressively enlarging swelling in the right buccal mucosa following facial trauma. Clinical and radiological evaluations suggested a neoplastic etiology, and excisional biopsy revealed myofibroblastic spindle cell proliferation with inflammatory infiltrate, confirming IMT.

Management and Prognosis: The tumour was surgically excised. The patient is under regular follow up.

Conclusion: IMT’s pose a diagnostic challenge because of histopathological overlap with other fibroblastic and myofibroblastic lesions. High recurrence rate necessitates long-term follow-up.