Myofibroblastic sarcoma of the base of tongue. Case report and review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Mesenchymal malignancies with myofibroblastic differentiation exhibit a spectrum from low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma mimicking fibromatosis to pleomorphic high-grade sarcoma. Low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma shows a wide anatomic distribution with a predilection for the head-and-neck region; however, intermediate- and high-grade myofibroblastic sarcomas in this localization are exceptional.


METHODS
A 56-year-old woman with intermediate-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma of the base of tongue is presented. She was treated with surgical excision, but computed tomography proved local residual tumor. Reexcision and chemotherapy were refused by the patient. Irradiation was given to a total dose of 66 Gy.


RESULTS
50 months after completion of radiotherapy, the patient is in good health without any evidence of disease. According to the review of the literature, base of tongue as the primary site of myofibroblastic sarcoma has not been published so far.


CONCLUSIONS
Similarly to the low-grade form, intermediate- and high-grade myofibroblastic sarcomas may also occur in the head-and-neck region. In case of incomplete excision, radiotherapy may be an effective treatment.
Takácsi-Nagy
Zoltán
Z
Department of Radiotherapy, National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary. takacsi@oncol.hu
Muraközy
Györgyi
G
Pogány
Péter
P
Fodor
János
J
Orosz
Zsolt
Z