title: Composite hemangioendothelioma of the oral cavity: case report and review of the literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Composite hemangioendothelioma is a rare histopathologic feature, which is part of the hemangioendothelioma family. This is a heterogeneous group of vascular neoplasia with a high tendency to local relapse but a rare predisposition to metastatic spread. Composite hemangioendothelioma mainly affects adults and is usually localized in the distal extremity of the limbs. To date, only 1 case has been detected in the oral cavity.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case of composite hemangioendothelioma in a 38-year-old man is reported. The lesion was localized in the left cheek vestibular mucosa. It was surgically excised with a 1-cm safety margin. Reconstruction was performed with a platysma myocutaneous flap.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At present, the patient is free from recurrence. The aesthetic and functional outcomes are satisfactory.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case demonstrates how a composite hemangioendothelioma histological diagnosis can be difficult to achieve. Furthermore, therapy must be surgical and excision should be wide.
authors.affiliation: Division of Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy. massimo.fasolis@unito.it
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fasolis
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Iaquinta
authors.forename: Maria Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Montesco
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Garzino-Demo
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tosco
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tanteri
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bonandini
authors.forename: Vito
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ninfo
authors.forename: Sid
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Berrone
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006390:Hemangioendothelioma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D035583:Rare Diseases; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome