Myxofibrosarcoma in Head and Neck: Case Report of Unusually Aggressive Presentation

Modeling Myxofibrosarcoma: Where Do We Stand and What Is Missing?

Myxofibrosarcoma (MFS) is a malignant soft tissue sarcoma (STS) that originates in the body's connective tissues. It is characterized by the presence of myxoid (gel-like) and fibrous components and typically affects patients after the fifth decade of life. Considering the ongoing trend of increasing lifespans across many nations, MFS is likely to become the most common musculoskeletal sarcoma in the future. Although MFS patients have a lower risk of developing distant metastases compared with other STS cases, MFS is characterized by a high frequency of local recurrence. Notably, in 40-60% of the patients where the tumor recurs, it does so multiple times. Consequently, patients may undergo multiple local surgeries, removing the risk of potential amputation. Furthermore, because the tumor relapses generally have a higher grade, they exhibit a decreased response to radio and chemotherapy and an increased tendency to form metastases. Thus, a better understanding of MFS is required, and improved therapeutic options must be developed. Historically, preclinical models for other types of tumors have been instrumental in obtaining a better understanding of tumor development and in testing new therapeutic approaches. However, few MFS models are currently available. In this review, we will describe the MFS models available and will provide insights into the advantages and constraints of each model.

Myxofibrosarcoma landscape: diagnostic pitfalls, clinical management and future perspectives

Myxofibrosarcoma (MFS) is a common entity of adult soft tissue sarcomas (STS) characterized by a predilection of the extremities and a high local recurrence rate. Originally classified as a myxoid variant of malignant fibrous histiocytoma, this musculoskeletal tumor has been recognized since 2002 as a distinct histotype showing a spectrum of malignant fibroblastic lesions with myxoid stroma, pleomorphism and curvilinear vessels. Currently, the molecular pathogenesis of MFS is still poorly understood and its genomic profile exhibits a complex karyotype with a number of aberrations including amplifications, deletions and loss of function. The diagnosis is challenging due to the unavailability of specific immunohistochemical markers and is based on the analysis of cytomorphologic features. The mainstay of treatment for localized disease is represented by surgical resection, with (neo)-adjuvant radio- and chemotherapy. In the metastatic setting, chemotherapy represents the backbone of treatments, however its role is still controversial and the outcome is very poor. Recent advent of genomic profiling, targeted therapies and larger enrollment of patients in translational and clinical studies, have improved the understanding of biological behavior and clinical outcome of such a disease. This review will provide an overview of current diagnostic pitfalls and clinical management of MFS. Finally, a look at future directions will be discussed.

Idiopathic and radiation-induced myxofibrosarcoma in the head and neck-case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Myxofibrosarcoma (MFS), especially radiation-Induced MFS (RIMFS) in the head and neck, is an extremely rare malignant fibroblastic tumor. The diagnosis and treatment of MFS remain great challenges. In the present study, we presented one case of RIMFS. Combined with previous literature, the clinical features, essentials of diagnosis, and treatment modalities of MFS in the head and neck were reviewed to better understand this rare entity.

CASE PRESENTATION

We reported a case of RIMFS under the left occipital scalp in a 20-year-old girl with a history of medulloblastoma surgery and radiotherapy in 2006. A total tumor resection was performed with preservation of the overlying scalp the underlying bone, and no adjuvant therapy was administered after the first operation. The postoperative pathological diagnosis was high-grade MFS. The tumor relapsed 6 months later, and then, a planned extensive resection with negative surgical margins was carried out, followed by radiotherapy. No relapse occurred in a 12-month postoperative follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Planned gross total resection (GTR) with negative margins is the reasonable choice and footstone of other treatments for MFS. Ill-defined infiltrated borders and the complicated structures make it a great trouble to achieve total resection of MFS in the head and neck, so adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy seem more necessary for these lesions.

Primary sinonasal myxofibrosarcoma: a clinicopathological study of five cases and review of the literature

Myxofibrosarcoma is a malignant pleomorphic fibroblastic sarcoma with variably myxoid stroma, and is characterised by a distinctive curvilinear vascular pattern. In the head and neck area, myxofibrosarcoma is extremely rare, with only a handful of case reports in the literature to date. We report the first case series of primary sinonasal myxofibrosarcoma across two institutions. Among the five cases (2 female, 3 males, aged 52-82 years old), four arose from the maxillary sinus and one from the sphenoid sinus. Four patients received surgical resection and three with adjuvant radiotherapy. The tumours ranged from 2.9 to 5.6 cm in greatest dimensions. All tumours demonstrated extensive myxoid stroma (>50% myxoid component) with a characteristic curvilinear, elongated, thin-walled vasculature with perivascular condensation of tumour cells. All but one were classified as intermediate to high grade myxofibrosarcoma. Among the four patients with follow-up information, three reported no local recurrence or distal metastasis, and one had local recurrence. Myxofibrosarcoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of sinonasal tumours with a pleomorphic spindle cell morphology and a 'null' immunophenotype.

Maxillary Sinus Myxofibrosarcoma Mimicking Nodular Fasciitis: A Rare Case Report

Myxofibrosarcoma (MFS) is a fibroblastic soft tissue sarcoma that is extremely rare in the maxillofacial region. Due to its non-specific clinicoradiographic findings and challenging histopathological features, the diagnosis is difficult. Here, we present a case of MFS which was first diagnosed as nodular fasciitis. The initial examination of the incisional biopsy showed a benign-appearing proliferation of fibroblasts without features of malignancy. The patient returned with recurrence four months after surgical excision of the primary lesion. The second histologic study revealed a high-grade spindle cell sarcoma with myxoid features most compatible with MFS. Definitive diagnosis of MFS was confirmed by these histopathologic features and supportive immunohistochemical stains. Unfortunately, the patient died of disease 3 months later.

Myxofibrosarcoma of the scalp with difficult preoperative diagnosis: A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

A myxofibrosarcoma (MFS) is a malignant fibroblastic tumor that tends to occur in the lower and upper extremities. The reported incidence of head and neck MFSs is extremely rare. We report a 46-year-old male with “a neoplasm in the scalp” who was hospitalized and diagnosed with an MFS (highly malignant with massive necrotic lesions) based on histologic and immunohistochemistry evaluations. The magnetic resonance imaging manifestations did not demonstrate the “tail sign” mentioned in several studies, which resulted in a great challenge to establish an imaging diagnosis. The treatment plan is closely associated with the anatomic location and histologic grade, and more importantly, aggressive surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy may be helpful. Hence, we report the case and share some valuable information about the disease.

CASE SUMMARY

A 46-year-old male with “a neoplasm in the scalp for 6 mo” was hospitalized. Initially, the tumor was about the size of a soybean, without algesia or ulceration. The patient ignored the growth, did not seek treatment, and thus, did not receive treatment. Recently, the tumor increased to the size of an egg; there was no bleeding or algesia. His family history was unremarkable. No abnormalities were found upon laboratory testing, including routine hematologic, biochemistry, and tumor markers. Computed tomography showed an ovoid mass (6.25 cm × 3.29 cm × 3.09 cm in size) in the left frontal scalp with low density intermingled with equidense strips in adjacent areas of the scalp. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a lesion with an irregular surface and an approximate size of 3.55 cm × 6.34 cm in the left frontal region, with clear boundaries and visible separation. Adjacent areas of the skull were damaged and the dura mater was involved. Contrast enhancement showed an uneven enhancement pattern. Surgery was performed and postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy was administered to avoid recurrence or metastasis. The post-operative pathologic diagnosis confirmed an MFS. A repeat computed tomography scan showed no local recurrence or distant metastasis 19 mo post-operatively.

CONCLUSION

The case reported herein of MFS was demonstrated in an extremely rare location on the scalp and had atypical magnetic resonance imaging findings, which serves as a reminder to radiologists of the possibility of this diagnosis to assist in clinical treatment. Given the special anatomic location and the high malignant potential of this rare tumor, combined surgical and adjuvant radiotherapy should be considered to avoid local recurrence and distant metastasis. The significance of regular follow-up is strongly recommended to improve the long-term survival rate.

Myxofibrosarcoma of the mandible: a case report and review of the literature

Background

Myxofibrosarcoma (MFS) is a soft tissue sarcoma that commonly occurs in late adult life. It is mainly located in the subcutaneous soft tissues of extremities characterized by a high recurrence rate at the original site. MFS of the head and neck is rare, while it occurs in the maxilla and mandible is extremely rare.

Case presentation

We report a case of MFS of the mandible in a 51-year-old female who presented with a painless gingival swelling and mobile, super-erupted right mandibular second and third molars. Panoramic x-ray and maxillofacial CT revealed an ill-defined radiolucent lesion surrounding the mandibular molars giving a teeth-floating-in-air appearance. Histopathological examination showed scattered spindle and stellate cells with mild atypia distributed in the myxoid stroma. Only a few mitotic figures were identified and no area of tissue necrosis was found. The characteristic thin-walled and curvilinear vasculature were prominent. Immunohistochemistry analysis revealed the tumor cells being positive for vimentin and vascular CD31. CK, S-100, P63, HHF-35 stains were negative. The labeling index of Ki-67 was about 30%. Based on the histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations, the diagnosis of a low-grade MFS was established. This patient underwent a radical segmental excision with a 2-cm margin, supraomohyoid neck dissection and immediate reconstruction of the mandibular continuity defect with a fibular osteocutaneous free flap. This patient has been followed for 20 months to date and has remained disease free.

Conclusions

This report describes a rare case of MFS of the mandible. Recognizing the histopathological features of MFS and applying the appropriate immunohistochemical examinations are crucial in establishing the correct diagnosis. Our case may provide diagnosis and treatment experiences of MFS occurs in the mandible.

Head and Neck Sarcomas: A Review of Clinical and Imaging Findings Based on the 2013 World Health Organization Classification

OBJECTIVE

Head and neck sarcomas are a complex, heterogeneous group of tumors that present a diagnostic challenge to radiologists because they have many overlapping imaging features. The purpose of this article is to review the imaging and clinical features and highlight distinguishing features of head and neck sarcomas.

CONCLUSION

An understanding of characteristic imaging and clinical features of head and neck sarcomas is important for the radiologist to narrow the differential diagnosis and help guide management.

PROGNOSTIC FACTORS IN PATIENTS WITH APPENDICULAR MYXOFIBROSARCOMA

Objective

Myxofibrosarcoma (MFS) is a common soft tissue sarcoma (STS) that affects the extremities in elderly patients. The objective was to analyze the prognostic factors and outcomes of patients with MFS treated at a single institution.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 75 patients with MFS. We compared age, sex, tumor size and location, grade and stage of the disease. Median age was 49.7 years (range, 1 to 88 y).

Location

upper extremity (25.4%), lower extremity (66.6%) and pelvis (8%). Patients had high-grade tumors in 46.7% of the reports. Margins were negative in 76% of the cases. Bivariate Cox regression analysis was used to determine associations between clinical and treatment factors with local recurrence (LR).

Results

Median follow-up time was 30.7 months (range, 1.8 to 383.8 m). We found 26.7% of LR. Distant metastasis (DM) was reported in 27 (36%) patients. Lung was the most common site of DM, reported in 92.6% of patients. Overall survival (OS) with metastasis was 21.2 months (range, 4.8 to 114.8 m). Predictors of OS were grade, LR (hazard ratio [HR] 5.13, 95% confidence interval, 2.15-12.24, P <0.001), and DM (HR 540.97, 95% confidence interval, 5.04-58112.03, P< 0.001).

Conclusions

Tumor grade, LR, positive margins and DM were significant predictors of poor OS prognosis. Level of Evidence IV, Case Series.