Pedunculated, papillary giant cell fibroma in a pediatric patient: An immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization study

Giant cell fibroma (GCF), a benign fibrous proliferation, represents about 4.7% of all benign/reactive fibrous growths in the oral cavity. GCF preferentially affects Caucasians, with a peak incidence in the third decade of life, and slight female predilection. Clinically, small gingival nodules (about 1.0 cm in diameter) are often observed. Herein, we report a 5-year-old girl who was referred for evaluation of a pedunculated nodule on the gingiva, resembling a human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated papillary lesion clinically and microscopically. HPV was not detected by immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization analysis in the excised surgical specimen. Thus, the lesion was diagnosed as GCF. Papillary surface projections are rarely described in GCF, but it should be included in its clinicopathological spectrum, especially in pediatric patients.