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Franchi A, Agaimy A. Granulation tissue-like spindle cell (sarcomatoid) carcinoma of the head and neck: a deceptively bland-looking underdiagnosed malignancy. Virchows Arch 2024; 484:799-806. [PMID: 38403668 PMCID: PMC11106124 DOI: 10.1007/s00428-024-03770-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
The diagnosis of head and neck spindle cell squamous carcinoma (SC-SCC) is often challenging. Lesions with a prominent inflammatory infiltrate and reactive vessels may have a granulation tissue-like appearance, therefore being difficult to distinguish from reactive lesions, like contact ulcers, post-intubation granulomas, inflammatory pseudotumors, or benign vascular lesions. In this study, we analyzed the clinicopathological features of a series of 17 head and neck SC-SCC with granulation tissue-like appearance. All patients, but two, were males, ranging in age between 57 and 80 years. The larynx was the most frequently affected site (n = 12), followed by the tongue (n = 4). One tumor was hypopharyngeal. Most consult cases were submitted with benign suggestion or because of unexpected recurrences of granulation tissue polyps. Histologically, all lesions consisted of an ulcerated polypoid proliferation of moderately to markedly atypical spindle cells, with a minor component of conventional invasive or in situ squamous carcinoma. At least one cytokeratin cocktail was positive in 13 cases. The staining was limited to a few neoplastic cells in most cases. Positivity for p63, p40, and cytokeratins 5/6 was detected only in the conventional squamous cell carcinoma component, when present. ALK1 was negative in all cases. Sixteen cases were tested for p53 and all showed aberrant expression (12 diffusely positive and 4 of null-phenotype). The diagnosis of granulation tissue-like SC-SCC is challenging due to the close clinical and histological overlap with several benign conditions. Since the expression of epithelial markers is limited, the use of an immunohistochemical panel including p53 is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Franchi
- Section of Anatomic Pathology, Department of Translational Research, University of Pisa, 56124, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Abbas Agaimy
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) Erlangen-EMN, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
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Brambilla L, Genovese G, Berti E, Peris K, Rongioletti F, Micali G, Ayala F, Della Bella S, Mancuso R, Calzavara Pinton P, Tourlaki A. Diagnosis and treatment of classic and iatrogenic Kaposi's sarcoma: Italian recommendations. Ital J Dermatol Venerol 2020; 156:356-365. [PMID: 33179877 DOI: 10.23736/s2784-8671.20.06703-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a lymphangioproliferative disorder associated with Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) infection. Four clinical subtypes are recognized: classic, endemic, epidemic (HIV-related) and iatrogenic. KS diagnosis is based on clinical features, histopathological assessment, and HHV8 serology. Classic KS is usually skin-limited and has a chronic course, while the iatrogenic variant may show mucosal, nodal or visceral involvement. Clinical staging is fundamental to guide the management. Localized disease may be treated with different local therapies, even if there are no randomized trials comparing these different modalities. Aggressive, disseminated KS and cases with visceral involvement usually require systemic chemotherapy, most commonly vinblastine, bleomycin or paclitaxel. Iatrogenic KS needs immunosuppression tapering/withdrawal and, if possible, switch to m-TOR inhibitors in post-transplant KS. The present work by a panel of Italian experts provides guidelines on KS diagnosis and management based on a critical review of the literature and a long and extensive personal experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Brambilla
- Unit of Dermatology, Maggiore Polyclinic Hospital, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni Genovese
- Unit of Dermatology, Maggiore Polyclinic Hospital, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.,Department of Medical-Surgical Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Emilio Berti
- Unit of Dermatology, Maggiore Polyclinic Hospital, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.,Department of Medical-Surgical Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Ketty Peris
- Unit of Dermatology, IRCCS A. Gemelli University Polyclinic Foundation, Rome, Italy.,Unit of Dermatology, Sacred Heart Catholic University, Rome, Italy
| | - Franco Rongioletti
- Unit of Dermatology, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Micali
- Clinic of Dermatology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Fabio Ayala
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Silvia Della Bella
- Unit of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, IRCCS Humanitas Clinic, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.,Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Athanasia Tourlaki
- Unit of Dermatology, Maggiore Polyclinic Hospital, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy -
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