Malignant pleural mesothelioma metastatic to the submandibular salivary gland, simulating glandular hypertrophy, diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration biopsy: a case report and literature review.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare neoplasm that generally develops in the pleural or peritoneal cavity. Distant metastases are common; it rarely metastatizes to the head and neck region.

CASE PRESENTATION:

A 54-year-old white man, a non-smoker, was treated with chemotherapy, surgery and radiation for a malignant pleural mesothelioma. Seven months after the last treatment, he developed a right submandibular enlargement: clinical examination, ultrasound and computerized tomography scans revealed a salivary gland hypertrophy. Anti-inflammatory and antibiotic treatment was then started, without improvement. An ultrasound (US)-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) showed atypical mesothelial cells with nuclear enlargement and increased chromatin representation. Immunocytochemistry showed positivity for calretinin and WT-1.A diagnosis of right submandibular salivary gland involvement from mesothelioma was established, allowing an adequate treatment.

CONCLUSION:

We report a very rare site of metastasis from malignant pleural mesothelioma. We suggest that US-guided FNAB is a useful, quick, and cheap procedure for a definite diagnosis.

• Authors: Massimo Ambroggi, Elena Orlandi, Raoul P Foroni, Luigi Cavanna
• Journal: World journal of surgical oncology (World J Surg Oncol) Vol. 12 Pg. 129 (Apr 28 2014) ISSN: 1477-7819 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 24773769 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Review)

Topics

• Humans
• Hypertrophy
• Lung Neoplasms (pathology, therapy)
• Male
• Mesothelioma (pathology, therapy)
• Mesothelioma, Malignant
• Middle Aged
• Pleural Neoplasms (pathology, therapy)
• Prognosis
• Submandibular Gland Neoplasms (secondary, therapy)