Mesenchymal neoplasms of the parotid gland and parapharyngeal space: an FNA cytologic study of 22 nonlipomatous tumors

BACKGROUND

Mesenchymal neoplasms of the parotid gland (PG) and para-pharyngeal (PP) space are distinctly uncommon. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy experience with nonlipomatous neoplasms from this site is reviewed.

METHODS

Cytopathology and surgical pathology files were examined for mesenchymal PG and PP space neoplasms. FNA biopsy was performed using standard technique.

RESULTS

Twenty-two PG and/or PP aspirates from 20 adults (male:female = 1.1:1; age range, 19-84 years, mean age, 50 years) and a 10-week-old infant met inclusion criteria. Biopsy sites included PG (17, 77%) or PP space (5, 23%). Five of 6 malignant neoplasms (83%) were called malignant cytologically. Only 7 of 11 (63%) benign neoplasms were recognized as a benign neoplasm. None of 5 solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) cases were correctly recognized. Conversion to the Milan classification showed 8 (36%) FNA cases diagnosed as benign neoplasm, 6 (27%) malignant neoplasm, 4 (18%) neoplasm of uncertain malignant potential, 2 (9%) nondiagnostic, and single cases of suspicious for malignancy and nonneoplastic. There was 1 false-positive and no false-negative FNA diagnoses. Ancillary testing in 10 (45%) aspirates helped substantiate a correct specific diagnosis in 3 malignant and 3 benign cases.

CONCLUSIONS

FNA biopsy of nonlipomatous mesenchymal SG neoplasms is particularly challenging. Less than half (9 of 11, 41%) had specific FNA diagnoses that correctly matched the tissue diagnoses or clinical outcome. Accurate Milan categorization was superior for malignant neoplasms (5 of 6, 83%) in contrast to benign neoplasms (7 of 11, 63%), or neoplasms of uncertain malignant potential (SFT) (2 of 5, 40%).

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma of Stensen's duct: a case report and review of the literature

The cytologic features of an alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma arising within Stensen's duct of the parotid gland are described. These malignancies and sarcomas in general are not usually included in the differential diagnosis of a parotid lesion as they rarely present as primary parotid malignancies. In addition, these neoplasms are even rarer outside of the pediatric and adolescent populations. Due to the difficulty of this diagnosis, we present this case to increase awareness of the diagnosis in the salivary glands and to highlight the cytomorphologic features that can aid in the correct diagnosis.

Primary sarcomas of the salivary glands: case series and literature review

BACKGROUND

Mesenchymal malignancies of salivary origin are rare and are histologically diverse. We reviewed our experience with these tumors, as well as the published literature, with an emphasis on treatment modalities and prognosis.

METHODS

We identified 17 patients treated for malignant mesenchymal cell tumors at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center between 1990 and 2007. We compared our results to the literature from January 1990 to July 2010.

RESULTS

Tumors were located primarily in the parotid gland and were primarily T1 tumors (<5 cm). All patients were treated with surgical resection, and 13 patients were given adjuvant therapy. Seven patients (41%) had recurrence, and 4 developed distant metastases. The overall 5-year and 10-year survival rates were 42% and 20%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our case series and literature review show that sarcomas of the salivary glands have a high rate of recurrence and are associated with a poor prognosis.

Update on rhabdomyosarcoma

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a malignant childhood tumor of mesenchymal origin that currently has a greater than 70% overall 5-year survival. Multimodality treatment is determined by risk stratification according to pretreatment stage, postoperative group, histology, and site of the primary tumor. Pretreatment staging is dependent on primary tumor site, size, regional lymph node status, and presence of metastases. Unique to RMS is the concept of postoperative clinical grouping that assesses the completeness of disease resection and takes into account lymph node evaluation. At all tumor sites, the clinical grouping, and therefore completeness of resection, is an independent predictor of outcome. Overall, the prognosis for RMS is dependent on primary tumor site, patient age, completeness of resection, extent of disease, including the presence and number of metastatic sites and histology and biology of the tumor cells. Therefore, the surgeon plays a vital role in RMS by contributing to risk stratification for treatment, local control of the primary tumor, and outcome. The current state-of-the-art treatment is determined by treatment protocols developed by the Soft Tissue Sarcoma Committee of the children's Oncology Group.

Sclerosing rhabdomyosarcoma of the parotid gland in an adult

Primary rhabdomyosarcoma of salivary glands is an extremely rare neoplasm, mostly seen in children. A newly described subtype of rhabdomyosarcoma, sclerosing rhabdomyosarcoma, has not yet been reported in this location. We report on a parotid gland tumor characterized by infiltrative growth of primitive type of neoplastic cells showing strong and diffuse nuclear positivity for MyoD1 and myogenin and by prominent hyalinized/chondroid matrix with some myxoid foci. The tumor recurred several times, and in recurrent tumors, differentiation into strap myoid cells appeared. There were no distant metastases during the 5-year follow-up. Sclerosing rhabdomyosarcoma may cause differential diagnostic problems because it could be confounded for osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and some other types of sarcoma, and as in our case, for myxofibrosarcoma and myoepithelial carcinoma. Its location in the head and neck is of special interest because 6 of 14 previously described adult cases of sclerosing rhabdomyosarcoma and 7 of 18 pediatric cases also occurred in this region. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of primary sclerosing rhabdomyosarcoma of the parotid gland.

[Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma of the parotid gland]

INTRODUCTION

Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma of salivary glands is a rare malignant neoplasm, presenting a striated muscular differentiation. It is typically observed in children, adolescents, and young adults but can sometimes be diagnosed in older people.

OBSERVATION

We report the case of a 57 year-old man presenting with a primary alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma of the parotid gland. The patient was treated by surgery and radiotherapy.

DISCUSSION

According to literature data, alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma of the parotid gland is exceptionally described after 40 years of age. In that case it has the worst prognosis and its lethality is due mainly to its very early metastasis.

Pediatric surgical oncology: management of rhabdomyosarcoma

A malignant tumor of striated muscle origin, Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a childhood tumor that has benefited from 30 years of multimodality therapeutic trials culminating in a greater than 70% overall current 5-year survival. Prognosis for RMS is dependent on anatomic primary tumor site, age, completeness of resection, presence and number of metastatic sites, histology and biology of the tumor cells. Multimodality treatment is based on risk stratification according to pretreatment stage, postoperative group, histology and site. Therefore, pretreatment staging is vital for assessment and is dependent on primary tumor site, size, regional lymph node status, and presence of metastases. Unique to RMS is the concept of postoperative clinical grouping that assesses the completeness of disease resection and takes into account lymph node evaluation both at the regional and metastatic basins. At all sites, if operative resection of all disease is accomplished, including microscopic disease, survival is improved. Therefore, the surgeon plays a vital role in determining risk stratification for treatment and local control of the primary tumor for RMS.

Cytological evaluation of head and neck tumors in children—A pattern analysis

A total of 135 pediatric head and neck tumors diagnosed in our institute were reviewed with a view to elucidate the overall cytological patterns and analyze the important cytological features. Ninety-four tumors (69.6%) were aspirated for a primary diagnosis, and in 41 (30.4%) cases, fine-needle aspiration cytology was performed to document relapse, recurrence or a metastasis. Among the 94 tumors aspirated for a primary diagnosis, 66 cases (70.2%) were accurately diagnosed, in 22 cases (23.4%) a broad working diagnosis was offered, and 6 cases (6.4%) were misdiagnosed. The accuracy rate was higher (79.3%) when relapse-recurrent and metastatic tumors were included. The smears were broadly divided into six patterns, viz. round cell, epithelial, anaplastic, giant cell, mixed inflammatory, and spindle cell patterns. The round cell pattern was the most frequent one encountered in this group. The cytological features that stood the test of variability were lymphoglandular bodies and a noncohesive cell population in hematolymphoid malignancies, pale chromatin and cytoplasmic vacuoles in primitive neuroectodermal tumor/Ewing's sarcoma (PNET/ES), neuropil and rosettes in neuroblastoma, and plasmacytoid rhabdomyoblasts in rhabdomyosarcoma. A fairly good accuracy was seen in the diagnosis of metastatic undifferentiated carcinoma and anaplastic lymphoma, but the giant-cell and spindle-cell tumors continued to pose a problem in diagnosis. Ancillary techniques such as immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy applied in limited cases helped evaluate Langerhans cell histiocytosis, alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, and the PNET/ES family of tumors.

Fine-needle aspiration cytology of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma utilizing ThinPrep® liquid-based sample and cytospin preparations: A case confirmed by FKHR break apart rearrangement by FISH probe

Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common childhood sarcoma that occurs in the soft tissues of the head and neck, genitourinary system, and extremities. While this tumor may also be seen in young adults, it is distinctly unusual to see this neoplasm beyond the fifth decade. The use of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) probes on fine-needle aspiration material for chromosomal analysis to detect chromosomal translocations are not well established. Herein we present a case of metastatic alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma originating in the nasal sinus and recurring in the neck of an adult man 5 yr after his initial presentation. The ThinPrep smear demonstrated isolated malignant tumor cells similar to his previous histologic material. The cytologic findings of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma were confirmed utilizing a dual color break apart FISH probe which identified the FKHR translocation on the cytospin preparation prepared from a ThinPrep vial and processed as a cytospin preparation. In addition to routine and immunocytologic staining, we demonstrate that aspirated tumor cells can be analyzed using a FISH probe to identify specific chromosomal abnormalities.

Le rhabdomyosarcome de la glande parotide. À propos de trois cas et revue de la littérature

Rhabdomyosarcoma of the salivary glands is rare. Tumours develop mostly in children and young patients but can be diagnosed in older people. We report three new cases in women 7, 14 and 75 years old. Tumefaction of the parotid region and facial paralysis were the principle clinical symptoms. Two patients underwent a total parotidectomy and radiotherapy. The third patient had a locally advanced tumour and received chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy. Loco-regional recurrence was observed in all cases and median survival was 12 months. Rhabdomyosarcoma of the salivary glands is locally aggressive. Treatments include surgery and radiotherapy. The role of chemotherapy remains to be discussed.