Sarcomatoid Carcinoma: “A Surgeons Nightmare”

Abstract

Sarcomatoid carcinoma (SC) is a rare and unique disease of the oral cavity. It is a biphasic squamous cell carcinoma with sarcoma-like characteristics. It is a strikingly aggressive lesion with a rapid rate of growth and a high rate of metastasis. Diagnosing a sarcomatoid carcinoma may present a challenge; most can only be ascertained by immunohistochemical study. An aggressive treatment plan should be devised for this uncompromising disease with a readiness to accept the dire outcome. We hereby present a case of a 50-year-old male patient, with no history of deleterious habit, diagnosed with SC of the buccal mucosa that proved to be fatal.

Comprehensive analyses of intraoral spindle cell carcinoma: A rare disease entity revisited

“…Systemic symptoms, for instance, generalized weakness, weight loss, abdominal pain, anemia, and fever were complained by selected patients (Howard et al, 2007; Shibuya et al, 2000). Twenty‐four cases had cervical lymph node metastasis upon treatment (Bavle et al, 2016; Jayaram & Elsayed, 2005; Kato et al, 2010; Munakata et al, 1998; Ohba et al, 2015; Ramesh et al, 2019; Reyes et al, 2015; Shigeta et al, 2015; Stojadinovic et al, 2002; Su et al, 2006; Wen‐cheng et al, 2005). Thirteen patients had a prior history of cancer, and 8 patients had prior oral SCC (Gorsky & Epstein, 1998; Kato et al, 2010; Okuyama et al, 2017; Xie et al, 2017).…”

“…With regard to the treatment for intraoral SpCC, radical surgical resection remains the primary option (Iqbal et al, 2015b; Ramesh et al, 2019). Radiotherapy and chemotherapy can be complementary therapy due to the invasive nature of SpCC, or an alternative for inoperable patients (Ballo et al, 1998).…”

“…In addition, the pathological grade was identified as an independent prognostic factor. We believe that the highly invasive and aggressive nature of SpCC is a plausible explanation for SpCC patients who experienced local recurrences, metastases, and deaths (Bice et al, 2014; Ramesh et al, 2019).…”

“…Surgical ablation is the preferred treatment option, and radiotherapy and chemotherapy are used as adjuvant treatments (Reyes et al, 2015). However, the prognosis of this lethal disease is unfavorable as evidenced by frequent locoregional recurrence, metastasis, and high mortality (Biradar et al, 2014; Ramesh et al, 2019).…”