Unusual aggressive course of a giant cell tumor of soft tissue during immunosuppressive therapy.
Giant cell tumor of soft tissue with low malignant potential (GCT-ST) is a low-grade, primary soft tissue sarcoma with histological and clinical features similar to giant cell tumor of the bone. The main tumor localizations are the extremities, but it may also occur in the head and neck region. GCT-ST shows a recurrence rate of approximately 15%, but it very rarely metastasizes. The risk of cancer development, especially of the skin, is up to fivefold increased in immunosuppressed patients after organ transplantation. The association of sarcomas and immunosuppressive therapy is best known for Kaposi sarcomas, whereas other types of sarcomas are rarely found. We report of a GCT-ST of low malignant potential, which developed under long-term immunosuppression in a patient 12 years after heart transplantation. The tumor presented with an unusual aggressive course and metastatic site: the parotid gland. Therefore, we suggest that in patients with immunosuppression, even low malignant cancerous lesions should be carefully observed, as their local behavior may be aggressive with development of metastasis.
Grabellus
Florian
F
Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology, University Hospital of Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122 Essen, Germany. florian.grabellus@medizin.uni-essen.de
von Winterfeld
Friederike
F
Sheu
Sien-Yi
SY
Metz
Klaus A
KA
Jahnke
Klaus
K
Schmid
Kurt W
KW
D000368:Aged; D005870:Giant Cell Tumors / Q000276:immunology / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents