title: Primary Leiomyosarcoma of the Mandibular Alveolar Mucosa of a 12-Year-Old Child from Ethiopia: A Case Report.
abstract: Leiomyosarcomas (LMSs) are rare malignant mesenchymal tumors which show smooth-muscle differentiation. Most LMSs involving the oral tissues primarily affect the maxillary sinus, the maxillary or mandibular bone. We present a case of LMS of the mandibular alveolar mucosa, arising in a 12-year-old male child from Ethiopia. A malignant spindle cell-like neoplasm was diagnosed on clinical and radiographic findings as well as on incisional biopsy. The tumor was resected with wide margins. The following histopathologic examination with additional immunohistochemical studies secured the diagnosis LMS. Microscopically, the spindle-shaped tumor cells were arranged in an interlacing fascicular pattern and contained oval to elongated, blunt-ended (cigar-shaped) nuclei. The immunohistochemical examination showed immunoreactive tumor cells for vimentin, actin, desmin, and H-caldesmon, which is pathognomonic for LMS. Immunohistochemical studies are mandatory to differentiate the LMS from other similar spindle cell neoplastic lesions. Radical resection with safety margins and a lifelong periodic follow-up has to be recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Tewodros Tefera
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Kenea
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Betel Abebe
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Kebede
authors.affiliation: Dental and Stomatology, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Fekadu Mesele
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Gozjuze
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Hagos
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kiros
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Military Hospital Ulm, Academic Hospital Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wilde
keywords: immunohistochemistry; leiomyosarcoma; mesenchymal tumors; spindle cells