International Journal of Head and Neck Pathology

CASE REPORT
Year
: 2019  |  Volume : 2  |  Issue : 1  |  Page : 18--21

Monophasic (spindle cell) synovial sarcoma of mandible


Jagannath Dev Sharma1, Argha Baruah1, Lopa Mudra Kakoti1, Anupam Sarma1, Shiraj Ahmed1, Amal Chandra Kataki2,  
1 Department of Pathology, Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati, Assam, India
2 Department of Gynaecological Oncology, Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati, Assam, India

Correspondence Address:
Argha Baruah
Room No. 111, Department of Pathology, Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati - 781 028, Assam
India

Abstract

Synovial sarcoma (SS) is a malignant soft-tissue tumor of uncertain histogenesis. It is a malignant mesenchymal tumor commonly affecting the extremities. Rarely, it is seen in areas without any relationship to synovial structures. Only 6%–7% of cases have been reported in the head-and-neck region. In head-and-neck region, it usually involves the hypopharynx, parapharyngeal space, and posterior pharyngeal region. A few cases in mandible have been described in literature. Hereby, we report a rare case of monophasic (spindle cell) SS of the mandible in a 17-year-old male with a previous history of tooth extraction along with an unhealed socket.



How to cite this article:
Sharma JD, Baruah A, Kakoti LM, Sarma A, Ahmed S, Kataki AC. Monophasic (spindle cell) synovial sarcoma of mandible.Int J Head Neck Pathol 2019;2:18-21


How to cite this URL:
Sharma JD, Baruah A, Kakoti LM, Sarma A, Ahmed S, Kataki AC. Monophasic (spindle cell) synovial sarcoma of mandible. Int J Head Neck Pathol [serial online] 2019 [cited 2024 Mar 29 ];2:18-21
Available from: https://www.ijhnp.org/text.asp?2019/2/1/18/299471


Full Text



 Introduction



Synovial sarcoma (SS) is a malignant mesenchymal tumor commonly affecting the extremities. Only 6%–7% of cases have been reported in the head-and-neck region.[1] The term “synovial sarcoma” was first coined in 1936 by Knox.[2] The first reported case of SS in head and neck involving the pharynx was described by Jernstrom in 1954.[3]

SS arises in association with tendon sheaths, bursae, and joint capsules. On rare occasions, it is seen in areas without any relationship to synovial structures. In head-and-neck region, it usually involves the hypopharynx, parapharyngeal space, and posterior pharyngeal region. A few cases in the tongue, buccal mucosa, floor of mouth, soft palate, and mandible have been described in literature.[4]

 Case Report



A 17-year-old male presented with swelling in the lower right side of the face for 2 months. The swelling was associated with pain and discharge. There was a previous history of extraction of the right molar tooth following which the socket did not heal. On extraoral examination, this swelling was 6 cm × 5 cm in size, was firm in consistency, and was tender on palpation near the angle of mandible. The right submandibular lymph node was palpable which was mobile and nontender measuring 2 cm × 1.5 cm. Intraoral examination revealed an unhealed socket along with purulent discharge. On computed tomography scan, a destructive lesion was seen in the right hemimandible involving the body, ramus, and condylar process along with a heterogeneously enhancing soft-tissue component infiltrating the masticator space and retromolar trigone [Figure 1].{Figure 1}

Wide local excision along with right-sided hemimandibulectomy and supraomohyoid neck dissection was carried out for the patient, and histopathological examination revealed a moderately pleomorphic spindle cell tumor with scattered mitotic figures [Figure 2]. A diagnosis of spindle cell sarcoma was made, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) was done on the paraffin block of the tumor tissue. The tumor cells were immunoreactive to CD99, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), BCL2, and focally vimentin [Figure 3], [Figure 4], [Figure 5], [Figure 6] and showed negativity for cytokeratin (CK), smooth muscle actin (SMA), and S100. A final diagnosis of “monophasic (spindle cell) synovial sarcoma” was made.{Figure 2}{Figure 3}{Figure 4}{Figure 5}{Figure 6}

 Discussion



SS is a malignant soft-tissue tumor of uncertain histogenesis, which has the potential to differentiate into either mesenchymal or epithelial component. In spite of the name, the cells of origin are not synovial cells. Histogenesis is still debated.

SS can occur at any age but most commonly seen in the early years of life (second to third decade). SS is most commonly located in the extremities (60%–70%). SS has been detected in unusual sites, such as the head and neck, retroperitoneum, bones, nerves, lungs, pleura, heart, and kidney. Only 6%–7% of cases have been reported in the head-and-neck region.[5] In previous studies, the most common site in the head and neck was involvement of the parapharyngeal space followed by the hypopharynx.[6] In a study of 167 cases of head-and-neck SS (HNSS), oral cavity and parotid gland were found to be the most common sites of involvement.[7] In a study by Salcedo-Hernández et al., HNSS occurred commonly in males in their third decade of life.[8] In our case report, the patient was male and 17 years of age and SS affected the mandible. Few cases of SS have been reported in the mandibular region. Bansal and Sipayya reported a case of monophasic SS of mandible in a 16-year-old female patient.[9] Wadhwan et al. reported a case of biphasic SS of mandible in a 28-year-old male patient.[10]

Histologically, SS is of two main subtypes: biphasic and monophasic spindle cell. There are other rarer subtypes such as monophasic epithelial, poorly differentiated, calcifying/ossifying, and myxoid. Monophasic spindle cell variant is more common. The spindle cells are usually arranged in fascicles along with uniform tapering nuclei with pale cytoplasm. They can have a hemangiopericytoma-like vascular pattern. Epithelial component consists of numerous glandular structures lined by cuboidal or columnar epithelium. Poorly differentiated SS has an undifferentiated round cell morphology.

A myriad of histologic presentation causes discrepancy in diagnosis and also initial misdiagnosis. The closest differential diagnosis in monophasic spindle cell type includes spindle cell squamous cell carcinoma, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, solitary fibrous tumor, spindle cell rhabdomyosarcoma, and leiomyosarcoma. As SS is located in the mandible, odontogenic fibroma, ameloblastic fibroma, and ameloblastic fibrosarcoma should be included in the differential diagnosis.[11] Poorly differentiated type is commonly misdiagnosed as Ewing's sarcoma because it consists of sheets of atypical small and large cells.[12]

Immunohistochemically, around two-thirds of SS are positive for CD99. Transducer-like enhancer of split 1 is overexpressed in SS. It is helpful to distinguish SS from histologic mimic in difficult cases and is a sensitive and specific marker.[13] Other markers that are frequently positive are BCL2, EMA, and beta-catenin. S100 and SMA should be done to rule out neurogenic or smooth muscle origin of the cells. In our case, the tumor cells showed positivity for vimentin, CD99, BCL2, and EMA and showed negativity for CK, SMA, and S100.

SS is characterized by the presence of the t (X; 18) (p11.2; q11.2) translocation. Ninety percent of SS shows SS18-SSX fusion oncogenes.[14]

The primary treatment option for SS is wide surgical resection. Prognosis is poor, and many patients develop lung metastases after prolonged follow-up.[15] Radiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy is helpful in high-risk situations (tumors >5 cm or difficult to resect). The present case is on regular follow-up without adjuvant treatment.

Poor prognostic factors include poorly differentiated subtypes, older age at diagnosis, size ≥5 cm, mitotic activity ≥10/10 high-power field, higher Ki67 activity, and positive surgical margins.[16] In a study, it was found that HNSS had similar survival rates compared to SS of limbs.[8] However, several reports indicate that the prognosis of HNSS is better than that of SS arising in the extremities.[7]

 Conclusion



Because of rarity of this neoplasm in the mandibular region, it is more likely to be misdiagnosed and may pose a diagnostic challenge to pathologists. Therefore, correct diagnosis with the aid of histology and IHC is required to prevent misdiagnosis and improve treatment outcome.

Declaration of patient consent

The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms. In the form the patient(s) has/have given his/her/their consent for his/her/their images and other clinical information to be reported in the journal. The patients understand that their names and initials will not be published and due efforts will be made to conceal their identity, but anonymity cannot be guaranteed.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

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