Clinicopathological and immunohistochemical analysis of spindle cell squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue: a rare case

Author(s)

Bezerra Silva, Diego Filipe ^[1] ; de Pontes Santos, Hellen Bandeira ^[2] ; Leon, Jorge Esquiche ^[3] ; de Castro Gomes, Daliana Queiroga ^[1] ; Alves, Pollianna Muniz ^[1] ; Weege Nonaka, Cassiano Francisco ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Estadual Paraiba, Campina Grande, PB - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Odontol Ribeirao Preto, Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Einstein (São Paulo); v. 17, n. 1 JAN-MAR 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

ABSTRACT Spindle cell squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue is a rare variant of squamous cell carcinoma. This paper reports the case of a spindle cell squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, in a 64-year-old male patient, and presents a review of the etiopathogenesis, clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features and treatment of the malignancy. The patient presented for evaluation of a painful swelling on his tongue. Extraoral examination revealed palpable submandibular and superior cervical lymph nodes. Based on the presumptive diagnoses of squamous cell carcinoma or malignant salivary gland neoplasm, an incisional biopsy was performed. Histopathological analysis showed a proliferation of atypical spindle cells, exhibiting extensive pleomorphism. Tumor cells were positive for vimentin, P53 and alpha-smooth muscle actin, focally positive for epithelial membrane antigen and P63, and negative for pan-cytokeratin (AE1/AE3), CK7, CD138, CD34, CD56, and S-100. The positivity index for Ki-67 was approximately 40%. The diagnosis of spindle cell squamous cell carcinoma was established and the patient was referred to a head and neck surgery service. In the oral cavity, spindle cell squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue is an aggressive variant of squamous cell carcinoma, which usually presents as an exophytic mass located on the tongue of elderly males. Due to its distinct histopathological characteristics, immunohistochemistry is a valuable and helpful tool to establish the diagnosis of spindle cell squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/52090-8 - Comparative immunohistochemical analysis of dendritic cells, cytotoxic lymphocytes, and indolamine 2,3-dioxigenase expression in potentially malignant disorders and squamous cells carcinoma of the oral cavity and lower lip
• Grantee: Jorge Esquiche León
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 16/11419-0 - Clinicopathological correlation of the degree of differentiation, tetraspanin expression, viral agents and cell proliferation in a large sample of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck region.
• Grantee: Jorge Esquiche León
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants