Spindle cell carcinoma of the palatine tonsil: report of a diagnostic pitfall and literature review

Abstract

Spindle cell carcinomas of the tonsil are very rare tumors. We present an additional case that occurred in a 58-year-old woman. She presented with a tumor of the right tonsil. Histologic sections of tonsillar biopsies suggested that this tumor was a squamous cell carcinoma. She underwent a transoral resection of the right oropharynx. The final diagnosis was spindle cell carcinoma. We emphasize the difficulties in diagnosing this type of tumor and discuss therapeutic approaches to this rare tumor, which shows little response to radiotherapy; the literature is reviewed. We offer this case study in an effort to increase awareness of this rare malignancy.