Adenosquamous carcinoma of the tongue: clinicopathologic study and review of the literature

Abstract

Adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) of the tongue is an uncommon malignant oral neoplasm with mixed glandular and squamous differentiation and a propensity for aggressive clinical behavior. Here, we report a rare case of ASC of the lateral border of the tongue in a 65-year-old Japanese man. The patient was treated by radical operation and remained well for 6 months before developing metastasis of the hilar and pretracheal lymph nodes. Subsequently, the patient was treated with combined chemotherapy (nedaplatin plus docetaxel and S-1 for two cycles, intravenously) and radiotherapy. Radiation therapy of metastatic lymph nodes was performed at a total dose of 60 Gy and was delivered in 2 Gy fractions 5 days/week. The patient is currently tumor free and is being followed up carefully. This article describes a rare case of ASC of the tongue and its conventional histologic, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopic findings, together with a review of the literature. The findings provide important information to better understand the possible clinical and therapeutic approaches for this uncommon tumor of the tongue.

Adenosquamous Carcinoma with the Acantholytic Feature in the Oral Cavity: A Case Report and Comprehensive Literature Review

“…However, CK7 was negative, and CAM5.2 was positive only in a small number of cancer cells in the present case. The glandular components of reported cases of oral ASC were typically positive for CK7 [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. The mucin-containing cells were CEA-positive and p40-negative, similar to the immunohistochemical results for ASC reported by Satomi et al [ 15 ].…”

“…The glandular components of reported cases of oral ASC were typically positive for CK7 [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. The mucin-containing cells were CEA-positive and p40-negative, similar to the immunohistochemical results for ASC reported by Satomi et al [ 15 ]. These results suggest that mucin-containing cells possess a glandular phenotype, and CK7 is not a definitive marker of ASC in the oral mucosa.…”

“…From our comprehensive literature review of ASC arising in the oral cavity ( Table 1 ), 50 cases, including the present case, have been reported [ 2 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 23 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ], and the clinical information of the review is summarized in Table 2 . The median age of the patients was 60 (range 22–97).…”

Adenosquamous carcinoma development as a recurrence of squamous cell carcinoma in the oral floor

“…Immunohistochemical examinations support the accurate diagnosis of ASC. AC components express CK7 and often CEA, [6,7] but are negative for CK20. SCC components express p63 or p40, [6,7] while p53 overexpression is often observed in both components.…”

“…AC components express CK7 and often CEA, [6,7] but are negative for CK20. SCC components express p63 or p40, [6,7] while p53 overexpression is often observed in both components. [6] Although adenoid (acantholytic) SCC may mimic ASC due to the acantholysis (gland-like space) of the tumor cells, it is easily diagnosed because the tumor does not express CK7 and CEA.…”