Solitary fibrous tumor of the larynx

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor from molecular diagnostics to current treatment

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare neoplasm with intermediate malignancy characterized by a propensity for recurrence but a low metastatic rate. Diagnostic challenges arise from the diverse pathological presentation, variable symptomatology, and lack of different imaging features. However, IMT is identified by the fusion of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene, which is present in approximately 70% of cases, with various fusion partners, including ran-binding protein 2 (RANBP2), which allows confirmation of the diagnosis. While surgery is the preferred approach for localized tumors, the optimal long-term treatment for advanced or metastatic disease is difficult to define. Targeted therapies are crucial for achieving sustained response to treatment within the context of genetic alteration in IMT. Crizotinib, an ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), was officially approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2020 to treat IMT with ALK rearrangement. However, most patients face resistance and disease progression, requiring consideration of sequential treatments. Combining radiotherapy with targeted therapy appears to be beneficial in this indication. Early promising results have also been achieved with immunotherapy, indicating potential for combined therapy approaches. However, defined recommendations are still lacking. This review analyzes the available research on IMT, including genetic disorders and their impact on the course of the disease, data on the latest targeted therapy regimens and the possibility of developing immunotherapy in this indication, as well as summarizing general knowledge about prognostic and predictive factors, also in terms of resistance to systemic therapy.

Diagnostics and Treatment of Extrameningeal Solitary Fibrous Tumors

Solitary fibrous tumors (SFT) are rare mesenchymal neoplasms that account for less than 2% of all soft tissue masses. In the latest WHO 2020 Classification of Soft Tissue Tumors, extrameningeal SFT was listed as intermediate (rarely metastasizing) or malignant neoplasms. Due to the lack of characteristic clinical features, their diagnosis and treatment remain challenging. The pathogenesis of SFT is often associated with the presence of fusions of the NAB2-STAT6 gene on the 12q13 chromosome. Cytoplasmic CD34 positive staining is considerably characteristic for most SFTs; less frequently, factor XII, vimentin, bcl-2, and CD99 are present. A key factor in the diagnosis is the prevalent nuclear location of STAT6 expression. Radical resection is the mainstay of localized SFTs. In the case of unresectable disease, only radiotherapy or radio-chemotherapy may significantly ensure long-term local control of primary and metastatic lesions. To date, no practical guidelines have been published for the treatment of advanced or metastatic disease. Classical anthracycline-based chemotherapy is applicable. The latest studies suggest that antiangiogenic therapies should be considered after first-line treatment. Other drugs, such as imatinib, figitumumab, axitinib, and eribulin, are also being tested. Definitive radiotherapy appears to be a promising therapeutic modality. Since standards for the treatment of advanced and metastatic diseases are not available, further investigation of novel agents is necessary.

Laryngeal solitary fibrous tumour: diagnostic challenge in a rare presentation

Solitary fibrous tumours (SFT) are rare spindle cell mesenchymal neoplasms, most commonly appearing as well-circumscribed localised lesions arising from the abdominal or pelvic peritoneum. Their presence in the head and neck region is very rare; even more so in the post-cricoid region, with only one case described in the literature to date. The clinical behaviour of SFT may vary from benign to malignant, but only 10-15% of SFT demonstrate local recurrence or distant metastasis. The usual presenting symptoms of dysphagia and weight loss are very vague to give a definite diagnosis, and examination, even under general anaesthesia, combined with biopsies can sometimes be misleading, as in our case. Here, we describe a very challenging case of supraglottic SFT originating from the post-cricoid area. Our 73-year-old patient presented with dysphagia and upon examination a large supraglottic mass was revealed. Biopsies from the mass pointed to malignancy and the patient underwent total laryngectomy. The laryngeal specimen contradicted the biopsy and revealed a rare solitary fibrous tumour with benign features and thus adjuvant treatment was not necessary. Ever since the patient has been attending regular follow-up sessions and remains disease-free 18 months after surgery.

Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated Smooth Muscle Tumors of Larynx: A Clinicopathologic Study and Comprehensive Literature Review of 12 Cases

Laryngeal mesenchymal neoplasms are rare, with smooth muscle tumors comprising a small subset. Specifically, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated smooth muscle tumors are exceptionally rare, lacking a comprehensive evaluation of their clinical and histologic features. Two patients (a 59 year old male and 51 year old female) had received renal transplants 156 and 240 months, respectively prior to onset of laryngeal symptoms. Supraglottic polypoid masses were identified and removed conservatively. Histologically, the tumors were hypercellular, showing alternating light and dark areas, the latter composed of primitive appearing round cells, while a more characteristic spindled tumor cell population was noted in the remaining areas. Cytoplasmic vacuoles were noted adjacent to the nucleus. There was no tumor necrosis or pleomorphism, but increased mitotic figures (11-12/2 mm²) were seen, without atypical forms. The tumor cells were strongly immunoreactive with smooth muscle actin and smooth muscle myosin heavy chain and with Epstein-Barr virus encoded RNA (EBER) by in situ hybridization. These patients were reviewed in the context of a thorough English literature review, which demonstrates a wide age range at presentation without a sex predilection, but with most patients from specific ethnic groups (Chinese, Thai, Pilipino). Three-quarters of patients are part of multifocal disease and the majority are post-renal transplantation patients. Conservative management seems to yield the best overall outcome for these indolent tumors. In conclusion, EBV-associated smooth muscle tumors should be considered in any immunocompromised patient with a head and neck smooth muscle tumor, especially when EBER is documented by in situ hybridization. Conservative management may be employed, even when multifocal tumors are documented.

Laryngeal Solitary Fibrous Tumor: A Case Report and Systematic Review

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

Solitary fibrous tumors are spindle cell neoplasms of mesenchymal origin that rarely occur in the larynx and may be mistaken for other pathologies. This case presentation and systematic review investigates presentation, treatment modalities, and outcomes of this unusual tumor.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review of PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, and EMBASE including a novel case presentation METHODS: A systematic search according to the PRISMA guidelines was performed to isolate the reports of solitary fibrous tumors arising in the larynx and its subsites. Variables analyzed included patient demographics, presenting symptoms, smoking status, concurrent tumors, imaging studies, biopsy results, treatment, outcomes, and follow-up. Our additional report provides the second such description of this lesion originating within the true vocal fold.

RESULTS

Systematic review revealed 21 previous reports of solitary fibrous tumors originating from laryngeal subsites. The most common presenting symptom was dysphonia. All patients underwent local excision. Two patients had recurrences. Our patient presented with progressive dysphonia over 4 years. Stroboscopic examination revealed a large translucent mass of the left vocal fold. Local excision of the tumor was achieved with transoral resection with KTP laser. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated a strong positivity for CD34 and HMW CK34BE12. Nine-month follow-up has not revealed any evidence of persistent or recurrent disease.

CONCLUSION

Laryngeal solitary fibrous tumors are rare and are unlikely to recur in the absence of malignant findings. Complete surgical resection is an acceptable treatment for this lesion accompanied by appropriate follow-up.

A Solitary Fibrous Tumor of the Subglottic Larynx: Case Report and Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Solitary fibrous tumors (SFT) arising from the larynx are extremely rare; most occur in the supraglottic larynx.

CASE REPORT

Herein, we detail a new case of a subglottic SFT presenting as a well-encapsulated soft-tissue tumor with hoarseness. It showed isoattenuation, similar to the adjacent muscle on pre-contrast computed tomography (CT) images, and strong, heterogeneous enhancement following contrast material administration, which may reflect hypervascularity. On pathological examination, it consisted of spindle cells, squeezed between abundant collagen, and focally prominent vascularity in a staghorn feature. The tumor cells were immunoreactive for CD34, BCL2 and CD99. Based on the combination of architectural and immunohistochemical criteria, we ultimately diagnosed this case as an SFT.

CONCLUSION

Until now, only 14 cases of laryngeal SFT have been described in the literature: 13 located in the supraglottic areas and only one located in the subglottic/tracheal area. Therefore the present case is the second case of a subglottic SFT reported. Although rare, SFT should be included in the differential diagnosis of a well-marginated laryngeal mass with highly intense contrast enhancement, which suggests rich tumor vascularity.

Carcinosarcoma of the Larynx- A Rare Site Entity

Carcinosarcoma is a very rare lesion reported in many organs including larynx. The larynx appears to be highly unusual site, only a few cases have been described in the literature. Carcinosarcoma is a mixed tumour. It is composed of both malignant epithelial and mesenchymal elements. We report a case of Carcinosarcoma of the larynx in 45-year-old male. He presented with complaints of hoarseness of voice, difficulty in breathing and swallowing. The growth was pedenculated arising from left vocal cord. Diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology.

Solitary fibrous tumour of the supraglottic larynx

Solitary fibrous tumour (SFT) is a rare, benign, mesenchymal neoplasm that usually arises in the pleura, but rarely involves other sites outside the serosal space (mediastinum, lung, liver, thyroid gland); larynx involvement is very rare with only sporadic cases reported in the literature. We report a case of SFT in a 41-year-old woman with supraglottic laryngeal invovlement; symptoms included dysphonia and mild odynophagia lasting 2 years, and fibre-optic laryngeal evaluation showed a sub-mucosal mass involving the left supraglottis and medial wall of the pyriform sinus. MRI represents the gold standard tool for differential diagnosis (with schwannoma, paraganglioma and haemangioma) and correct staging, while immunohistochemical and cytomorphologic analysis (bcl-2 and CD34 positivity in 90% of cases) is needed for definitive diagnosis. Surgery is the main treatment (endoscopic and open conservative technique), and its goal is a balance between safe oncological resection and good preservation of laryngeal functions; in this particular case an open laryngeal approach was scheduled due to the size of the tumour. Prognosis is good and in only a few cases (especially in pleural SFT) does the biological behaviour take a malignant course.

Solitary fibrous tumor of the submandibular region

Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) are a rare type of neoplasm that originate from the pleura. Although SFTs may occur in a variety of extrathoracic regions, they are considered to be rare in the submandibular region. The current study presents the case of a 39-year-old female with a 3×4-cm, fibro-elastic, movable, painless nodule in the right side of the submandibular region. The patient exhibited no other clinical manifestations in the head and neck region. A computed tomography scan demonstrated the presence of a well-defined, slightly low-density nodular shadow measuring 2.6×3.3×3.8 cm, in proximity to the right submandibular gland, with mild contrast enhancement and no association with the adjacent lymph nodes. The lesion was surgically excised, and following histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis, immunohistochemical staining determined that the lesion was positive for cluster of differentiation (CD)34, CD99 and vimentin, and negative for desmin, CD31 and S-100; therefore, a diagnosis of an SFT was determined. The patient has so far been followed up for 22 months, with no signs of recurrence or metastases. The present study also discusses the clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical features, treatment strategies and potential clinical outcomes of SFTs. The study proposes that, although rare, SFTs of the submandibular region should be included in the differential diagnosis of soft-tissue tumors in the submandibular region.

Solitary fibrous tumor of the larynx: case report demonstrating the value of MRI in guiding surgical management

A 74-year-old woman presented with persistent dysphagia, dysphonia, and throat gurgling. Prior intraoperative biopsies were negative, and outside imaging revealed supraglottic swelling. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a well-defined T1 and T2 hypointense, avidly enhancing hypopharyngeal mass. Deep intraoperative rebiopsies revealed a tumor with CD34+ tissue, diagnostic of a solitary fibrous tumor. A broad range of nonsquamous cell tumors should be considered when a submucosal laryngeal mass is encountered. MRI may be particularly helpful in guiding appropriate biopsy.

Solitary fibrous tumor of the postcricoid region: a case report and literature review

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a rare mesenchymal neoplasm that can present essentially anywhere in the body. Presentations in the hypopharynx are extremely rare with only two previous cases reported. We report the first case of postcricoid SFT occurring in a 58-year-old male requiring a microsuspension laryngoscopy excision following an unsuccessful transoral robotic attempt. The excision was uneventful, and the patient is currently without recurrence. Current management strategies of the hypopharyngeal SFT, the unique differential diagnosis, and challenges in surgical approaches in the postcricoid region are discussed.

Solitary fibrous tumour of the larynx: a case report

INTRODUCTION

Solitary fibrous tumour (SFT) of the larynx is a rare benign mesenchymal tumour of adults. The diagnosis is based on a combination of histological and immunohistochemical signs.

CASE REPORT

The authors report the case of a patient with chronic laryngeal dysphonia and dyspnoea related to supraglottic SFT.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

The main challenge of surgery is to ensure healthy resection margins to avoid recurrence while preserving the functions of the upper aerodigestive tract. Surgery is the treatment of choice and provides an excellent prognosis. Long-term clinical follow-up is required to detect rare recurrences.