Myxoid tumors of soft tissues: a challenging pathological diagnosis.

Myxoid tumors (Mts) of soft parts constitute an heterogeneous group of lesions characterized by a similar bland, hypocellular morphological appearance, reminiscent primitive mesenchyma. In this article the overall diagnostic approach is presented with reference to clinical characteristics and distinctive histological criteria. In particular for intramuscolar myxoma, superficial angiomyxoma, aggressive angiomyxoma low grade fibromyxoid sarcoma, myxoid liposarcoma, extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma and myxofibrosarcoma, we discuss the diagnostic clues and the differential diagnosis with regard to immunohistochemical, ultrastructural and molecular genetic characteristics.