J Korean Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg.  2010 Jun;36(3):228-230. 10.5125/jkaoms.2010.36.3.228.

Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the mandible: report of a case

• Kwon GY
• Choi YJ
• Song MS
• Yun KI

• KMID: 2189954
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5125/jkaoms.2010.36.3.228

Abstract

Sarcomatoid carcinoma is a rare and occurs mainly in the upper aerodigestive tract such as the oral cavity, esophagus and vocal cords. It is a unique variant of squamous cell carcinoma. We report the case of a patient with spindle cell squamous cell carcinoma involving the mandible. At initial examination, overlying mucosa of that lesion was normal appearance. One week later, that lesion showed ulcerative and bloody change and rapid growth in size. This case showed unpredictable rapid growth although rapid growth in size was suspected of undergoing malignancy.

Keyword

Sarcomatoid carcinoma; Mandible; Mandibular neoplasms

MeSH Terms

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
Esophagus
Humans
Mandible
Mandibular Neoplasms
Mouth
Mucous Membrane
Ulcer
Vocal Cords

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1. Clinical examination.

• 

  Fig. 2. CT findings. A. CT revealed that the anterior border of the mandible was partially resorbed. B. The mass occupied the lower anterior vestibular area. (CT: computed tomography)

• 

  Fig. 3. Histopathologic examination. A. Lower power views shows diffuse sheet of neoplastic cells with no organoid structure.(H&E staining, original magnification x40) B. Highly anaplastic epitheloid tumor cells are present with prominent nucleus and mitosis.(H&E staining, original magnification x400) C. Immunopositivity for cytokeratin. D. Immunopositivity for vimentin.

Reference

References

1. Munakata R, Cheng J, Nakajima T, Saku T. Spindle cell carcinoma of the gingiva: report of an autopsy case. J Oral Pathol Med. 1998; 27:180–4.

2. Rizzardi C, Frezzini C, Maglione M, Tirelli G, Melato M. A look at the biology of spindle cell squamous carcinoma of the oral cavity: report of a case. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2003; 61:264–8.

3. Berthelet E, Shenouda G, Black MJ, Picariello M, Rochon L. Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the head and neck. Am J Surg. 1994; 168:455–8.

4. Huang SF, Chen IH, Liao CT, Chen TM, Lee KF. Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the parotid gland with apparent metastasis of epidermoid elements to cervical lymph nodes. Acta Otolaryngol. 2006; 126:667–71.

5. Thompson LD, Wieneke JA, Miettinen M, Heffner DK. Spindle cell (sarcomatoid) carcinomas of the larynx: a clinicopathologic study of 187 cases. Am J Surg Pathol. 2002; 26:153–70.

6. Choi HR, Sturgis EM, Rosenthal DI, Luna MA, Batsakis JG, El-Naggar AK. Sarcomatoid carcinoma of the head and neck. Molecular evidence for evolution and progression from conventional squamous cell carcinomas. Am J Surg Pathol. 2003; 27:1216–20.

7. Kashiwabara K, Sano T, Oyama T, Najahima T, Makita F, Hashimoto N, et al. A case of esophageal sarcomatoid carcinoma with molecular evidence of a monoclonal origin. Pathol Res Pract. 2001; 197:41–6.

8. Minami SB, Shinden S, Yamashita T. Spindle cell carcinoma of the palatine tonsil: report of a diagnostic pitfall and literature review. Am J Otolaryngol. 2008; 29:123–5.

9. Su HH, Chu ST, Hou YY, Chang KP, Chen CJ. Spindle cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx: factors affecting outcome. J Chin Med Assoc. 2006; 69:478–83.