A spindle cell squamous cell carcinoma on the cheek presenting with in-transit metastases and a satellite lesion

Spindle Cell Carcinoma of Buccal Mucosa: An Unusual Presentation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common carcinoma in the H&N (head and neck) region, in which squamous cells show variability in differentiation like basaloid, glandular, and spindle cells. Spindle cell carcinoma (SpCC) is an unusual variant of SCC that is aggressive in nature and has the ability to recur and metastasize. The presence of malignant mesenchymal and squamous epithelial cells gives it a biphasic nature. So, we present a case of SpCC of buccal mucosa in a 45-year-old male who had an ulcerated growth on his left buccal mucosa that had been present for two years.

An Unexpected Transformation: Malignant Spindle Cell Carcinoma Developed From Primary Basal Cell Carcinoma

Spindle cell carcinoma (SpCC)/sarcomatoid carcinoma is a biphasic tumor with molecular and histopathological properties of both epithelial and mesenchymal tumors. SpCC usually occurs either in sun-exposed areas like the head, neck, upper extremities, and chest or in the areas of skin with prior radiation exposure or in immuno-suppressed individuals. Cutaneous SpCC is a very rare disease, with only a handful of reported cases so far. SpCC differs from conventional squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with dermal infiltration of atypical keratinocytes as single cells with hyperchromatic eosinophilic cytoplasm and elongated, pleomorphic nuclei with multiple nucleoli, in contrast to cohesive nests or islands in SCC. The objective of this study is to complete a review of the current literature and present a rare manifestation of malignant SpCC which developed from a localized basal cell carcinoma following excision and radiation therapy (RT) in a 79-year-old female. We plan to elucidate the importance of a timely and accurate diagnosis of this disease in order to maximize treatment options and improve survival outcomes.

Extraordinarily aggressive cutaneous sarcomatoid squamous cell carcinoma of the face: a case report

Sarcomatoid squamous cell carcinoma (SSCC), a biphasic malignant tumor consisting of atypical squamous epithelial and mesenchymal elements mixed with epithelioid and spindle cells, is a variant of squamous cell carcinoma. Cutaneous SSCC is very rare and aggressive and has a poor prognosis. Here, we report a case of cutaneous SSCC with satellites and in-transit metastases. A 79-year-old woman presented with a protruding mass on the left temporal area sized 1.2×1.0 cm. The punch biopsy report indicated keratoacanthoma or well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. The size of the tumor increased to 2.7×2.0 cm after 8 days. An excisional biopsy was performed with a 2 mm safety margin. The tumor was identified as SSCC with a clear resection margin. Reoperation was performed thrice with an increased safety margin of 10 mm; however, the cancer recurred along with satellites and in-transit metastases. Chemoradiotherapy was administered; however, the size of the tumor increased along with satellites and in-transit metastases. The patient expired 162 days after the initial excision. Complete excision and immediate multidisciplinary approach should be combined during the early stages due to the aggressiveness and poor prognosis of cutaneous SSCC with satellites and in-transit metastasis.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the external ear: 170 cases treated with Mohs surgery

INTRODUCTION

Squamous cell carcinoma of the ear (SCC-E) shows high rates of local recurrence (LR) and lymph node metastases (NM). SCC-E is the leading cause of death from nonmelanoma skin cancer.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the LR and NM rates and survival after Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We treated 170 invasive SCC-E with MMS with a mean follow up of 48 months. Mean age was 76 years, 93.2% were male patients, mean size: 1.5 cm, and 61.8% of the tumours were well differentiated.

RESULTS

We observed 5 LRs, 2 locoregional recurrences, and 16 NMs in 23 patients. LR and NM rates were 4.1% and 10.6%, respectively. Only 3/25 recurrences occurred after 2 years of follow up. We observed 1(0.6%) distant metastasis (DM) in a patient who also presented LR + NM. Six out of seven cases with LR and 8/18 with NM died of disease, regardless of aggressive surgical rescue with or without adjuvant radiotherapy. Five-year overall survival, disease-free survival, and disease-specific survival were 81%, 82.6%, and 89.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Undeniably, the outcome in SCC-E is determined by locoregional control. DM are sporadic and rarely the cause of death. Systematic reviews and retrospective studies show a solid trend in favor of MMS vs surgical excision. The LR rate of this series (4.1%) is one of the lowest published to date with regard to SCC-E, and confirms this assertion. We observed 10.6% NMs according to other series that treated the whole spectrum of SCC-E. Almost 2/3 of patients with NMs die after therapeutic rescue. We believe that it is essential to identify prognostic factors to select patients for one of the following: close surveillance (ultrasonography) during the first 2 years after surgery, sentinel node biopsy, or elective treatment of the nodes (surgery or radiotherapy).