Tumors of smooth and skeletal muscle and pericytic tumors

Abstract

In this chapter the relevant clinicopathological and imaging characteristics of tumors with myogenic differentiation and of pericytic tumors are discussed. In contradistinction to other histological types of soft tissue tumors, tumors with histologically myogenic differentiation are more frequently malignant than benign. Radiography, ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings of tumors with myogenic differentiation and of pericytic tumors are often nonspecific. Therefore, histological confirmation is required particularly if there is any suspicion for malignancy. Since imaging techniques lack specificity, tumors are classified on the basis of histology according to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of soft tissue tumors 2013, fourth revision. MR imaging is the primary imaging modality of choice for local staging of tumors arising in the extremities, whereas both CT and MR imaging can be used for staging tumors arising in the abdomen.