A case of carcinosarcoma arising in the submandibular gland.

Abstract

A 54-year-old man presented with an 8-year history of a hard asymptomatic mass of the left submandibular area. Total excision of the left submandibular gland with radical neck dissection was performed under a diagnosis of a submandibular tumor, probably a malignant mixed tumor. The pathologic diagnosis was carcinosarcoma consisting of carcinomatous and sarcomatous elements. The epithelial component was composed of squamous cell carcinoma, undifferentiated carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma. The nonepithelial component was composed of chondrosarcoma, osteosarcoma, spindle cell sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and liposarcoma. In the central area of the tumor, a few remnants of benign pleomorphic adenoma were identifiable. The finding suggested that in our patient, the carcinosarcoma arose from a preexisting pleomorphic adenoma. In view of the expected aggressive nature of the tumor, the patient was treated with postoperative radiotherapy of 60 Gy total, in 30 daily fractions of 2 Gy, and chemotherapy. He currently remains well and free of disease 24 months after treatment.

• Authors: Shinya Yura, Shintaro Terahata, Noritaka Ohga, Tomomi Yamashita
• Journal: Oral surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology, oral radiology, and endodontics (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod) Vol. 103 Issue 6 Pg. 820-4 (Jun 2007) ISSN: 1528-395X [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 17531942 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Carcinosarcoma (drug therapy, pathology, radiotherapy, surgery)
• Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
• Humans
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Postoperative Care
• Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
• Submandibular Gland Neoplasms (drug therapy, pathology, radiotherapy, surgery)