Tongue swelling as a manifestation of tongue metastasis from pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma: A case report

Abstract

BACKGROUND Sarcomatoid carcinoma is a rare subtype of non-small-cell lung cancer, commonly associated with locally advanced disease, early metastasis, and poor prognosis. Tongue metastasis from lung cancer is a rare condition that may occur in advanced stage of the disease. CASE SUMMARY The patient was a 70-year-old female with a history of resected pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma (PSC) who presented with subacute tongue swelling, imparting the clinical impression of a lingual abscess. However, histologic examination of the partial glossectomy revealed a high-grade, poorly differentiated spindle and epithelioid carcinoma consistent with metastatic PSC. CONCLUSION Although uncommon, clinicians should be cognizant of the possibility of a metastatic process to the tongue mimicking a benign or inflammatory process. A high index of suspicion for metastatic disease should be maintained when tongue swelling is observed in patients with a known history of PSC.

Pulmonary Sarcomatoid Carcinoma With Epiglottis and Ileum Metastasis Detected by 18F-FDG PET/CT

“…It often metastasizes to lymph nodes, bone, adrenal gland, liver, and brain 1 . Uncommon metastatic sites includes gastrointestinal tract, 2 right ventricle, 3 mandibular gingiva, 4 tongue 5 and skin 6 . In this case, we found many unsuspected metastatic lesions by PET/CT, especially in the epiglottis.…”