title: Immunohistochemical demonstration of cyclooxygenase-2 in glomus tumors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Glomus tumors are benign hamartomas that account for 1% to 5% of all soft-tissue tumors of the hand. Painful spasms radiating from the lesion are typical clinical signs. As the pain production mechanism is unclear, we evaluated S100 protein, substance P, and cyclooxygenase-2 expression by immunohistochemistry in glomus tumor samples.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight solitary glomus tumors were surgically excised and confirmed histologically by an experienced pathologist. Paraffin-embedded tissues were prepared for immunohistochemistry. The sections were stained with separate polyclonal antibodies for S100, substance P, and cyclooxygenase-2. In three of the tumors, we measured the prostaglandin E2 concentrations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All samples were positive for S100 protein and cyclooxygenase-2.Substance P was found in five of the eight samples. High prostaglandin-E2 concentrations were seen in all three samples tested.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cyclooxygenase-2-immunoreactive cells are present in solitary glomus tumors. Since cyclooxygenase-2 produces prostaglandin E2, which is thought to be a strong vasodilator, the pain could be caused by vasodilation in the glomus tumor, with increased intracapsular pressure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kikkoman General Hospital, Chiba, Japan. yanai@earth.ocn.ne.jp
authors.forename: Takaji
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yanai
authors.forename: Toshikazu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ogawa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005918:Glomus Tumor / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013373:Substance P / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D009418:S100 Proteins; D013373:Substance P; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2