Glomus Tumor of Rare Localization in the Thigh; Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Glomus tumors are rare tumors primarily found on the nail bed of the fingers and rarely occur in other parts of the body. We present a case of a 71-year-old male who came in with a 5-year history of glomus tumor (GT) of the right lateral thigh associated with progressively increasing intermittent sharp pain. He denied any numbness or paresthesias of the extremity. Physical examination revealed a tender mass on the lateral side of the right upper leg associated with edema and erythema. Surgical excision and immunohistochemistry were performed. A histopathological diagnosis of glomus tumor was made. The postoperative recovery was successful and the patient reported resolution of the pain. We performed a literature review of reported cases of GTs of the thigh. The review showed that all patients had a long period of symptomatic disease before an accurate diagnosis could be made and were easily treated with surgical excision. No evidence of recurrence was noted after surgical removal. GTs of the thigh rarely recur due to their solid and encapsulated structure. This also makes them easy to recognize and surgically remove. This study highlights the unusual location of the GT, its impact on our patient, and reviews relevant academic literature. Tumors in these areas are frequently misdiagnosed due to vague symptoms. GTs should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients who experience pain with nonspecific symptoms that are not limited to specific body locations