title: Primary leiomyosarcoma of the submandibular gland: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Leiomyosarcoma is a rare malignant mesenchymal tumor that represents 5-7 % of all soft tissue sarcomas. The occurrence of this tumor in the salivary glands is exceptional. Only five cases are reported in the submandibular gland.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 65-year-old white Moroccan woman presented with a history of progressive right submandibular swelling which had grown over a period of 8 months. Clinical examination showed a submandibular painless, mobile and hard mass without cervical lymphadenopathy. Ultrasonography and computed tomography revealed a solid and heterogeneous mass measuring 4 × 2 cm involving the submandibular gland. A resection of the gland was performed. Pathological findings were consistent with primary leiomyosarcoma of the submandibular gland. No recurrence occurred after two months of follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Primary leiomyosarcoma of the submandibular gland is an extremely rare mesenchymal tumor. Clinical and radiological features are not specific. Differential diagnosis includes metastatic leiomyosarcoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumor, myoepithelioma, sarcomatoid carcinoma, melanoma and other sarcomas. Little is known about the overall biologic behavior of this tumor, but the prognosis seems to be poor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Mohamed V Military Hospital, Hay Riad, Rabat Morocco.
authors.forename: Mohamed Reda
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: El Ochi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Mohamed V Military Hospital, Hay Riad, Rabat Morocco.
authors.forename: Hafsa
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chahdi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Mohamed V Military Hospital, Hay Riad, Rabat Morocco.
authors.forename: Issam
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rharrassi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Mohamed V Military Hospital, Hay Riad, Rabat Morocco.
authors.forename: Abderrahman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Albouzidi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Mohamed V Military Hospital, Hay Riad, Rabat Morocco.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oukabli
keywords: Gland; Leiomyosarcoma; Salivary; Submandibulary