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Case Reports
. 2011 Feb 20:2011:572381.
doi: 10.4061/2011/572381.

Spindle cell carcinoma of the tongue: a rare tumor in an unusual location

Murat Oktay  1 , Tuba Dilay Kokenek-Unal, Bulent Ocal, Guleser Saylam, Mehmet Hakan Korkmaz, Murat Alper
Affiliations
Case Reports

Spindle cell carcinoma of the tongue: a rare tumor in an unusual location

Murat Oktay et al. Patholog Res Int. .

Abstract

Spindle cell carcinoma is a rare biphasic tumor consisting of epithelial and mesenchymal components. Presence of this tumor type in the tongue has rarely been reported. Herein, a case of 55-year-old woman who presented with a polypoid lesion at her tongue has been reported. Surgery was performed and pathologic examination revealed a spindle cell carcinoma. We present this rare tumor with an unusual location to contribute in part to the better understanding and awareness of this rare malignancy.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Macroscopic features and radiological imaging of SpCC. (a) Photographic view of the tumor just before operation. (b) Polypoid tumor mass in oral cavity on CT imaging. (c) The cut surfaces of the tumor.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Microscopic features of SpCC. (a) The irregular, atypical spindle cells widely distributed in a loose stroma mimicking granulation tissue. (H&E, ×100). (b) Hypercellular areas of atypical spindle cell component resembling a true fibrosarcoma. Also note those frequent mitotic figures, some of which atypical. (H&E, ×200). (c) “Transition zone of the tumor”, spindle-shaped tumor cells “dropping off” from squamous cell carcinoma. (H&E, ×400). (d) Squamous cell carcinoma component of tumor showing Pan-CK positivity. (Pan CK, ×200). (e) Vimentin positivity in sarcomatoid component. (Vimentin, ×200). (f) Ki-67 staining of stromal spindle cells. (Ki-67, ×400).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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