[3] CAF tumors are composed of bland mesenchymal[4] spindle-shaped cells in an edematous (i.e. abnormally swollen with fluid) to fiber-laded connective tissue background.
[6] CAF tumors commonly present as painless, slowly growing, soft tissue nodules or masses in the vulva-vaginal and inguinal-scrotal areas; less commonly in the perineum; and rarely in the urethra, pelvis, anus, retroperitoneum, lumbar region, middle of the trunk,[7] rectum, oral mucosa, knee, upper eyelid,[6] hip, chest wall, axilla, breasts, and upper abdomen.
[3] As determined by microscopic analyses, CAF tumors are composed of bland spindle-shaped cells in an edematous to fibrous stromal background containing bundles of collagen fibers, small to medium-sized, thick-walled, prominently hyalinized (i.e. glassy appearing) blood vessels, and a minor component of adipose tissue (i.e. fat tissue).
[3][4][6] Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis shows that the neoplastic cells in all cases of CAF have a deletion in or around band 14 on the long (or "q") arm of one of their two chromosomes 13.
[6] This treatment appears adequate (i.e. curative) even in cases were CAF tumors contain atypical cells and/or sarcoma-like histopathology.
[2] In many reported cases, CAF tumors treated with simple surgical excision or “shelling out” also appeared to have achieved adequate results.
[4] CAF tumors rarely recur at the sites of their surgical removal whether treated by total or simple resections[3] and have not been reported to metastasize.