Solitary fibrous tumors of the head and neck: A clinicopathologic and radiologic review Journal Article


Authors: Ganly, I.; Patel, S. G.; Stambuk, H. E.; Coleman, M.; Ghossein, R.; Carlson, D.; Edgar, M.; Shah, J. P.
Article Title: Solitary fibrous tumors of the head and neck: A clinicopathologic and radiologic review
Abstract: Objective: To describe the clinicopathologic and radiologic features of solitary fibrous tumors of the head and neck. Design: Retrospective analysis. Setting: Tertiary referral center that performs head and neck surgical oncology. Patients: Twelve patients with solitary fibrous tumors of the head and neck identified from the pathology and soft tissue tumor databases at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, from 1990 to 2004. All cases were reviewed by 3 experienced pathologists, 1 of whom is an experienced soft tissue tumor pathologist. The diagnosis was confirmed by microscopic features on hematoxylin-eosin staining and by positive staining for CD34 and Bcl2 on immunohistochemical analysis. Tumors were scored for mitotic activity, cellularity, nuclear pleomorphism, necrosis, and the presence of a malignant component. Details on patient characteristics, tumor characteristics, previous treatment and surgery, adjuvant treatment, and outcome were recorded from clinical records. Results: Solitary fibrous tumors occurred in patients over a wide age range (27-78 years; median age, 52 years). Seven patients (58%) were women, and 5 (42%) were men. Most tumors presented as a slow-growing painless mass with a duration ranging from 2 months to 5 years. The tumors ranged from 1 X 1 cm to 6 X 5 cm. Patients presented with a subcutaneous mass of the scalp or face in 4 cases, intraoral mass in 4, sinonasal mass in 3, and paraspinal mass in 1. Computed tomographic and/or magnetic resonance imaging scans of 7 of the 12 patients showed well-circumscribed tumors that enhanced strongly with contrast. Treatment for all of the patients was surgical resection. Pathologic findings showed that 9 tumors were benign and 3 were malignant. Three patients had a positive surgical resection margin. All patients were alive at a median follow-up of 8 months (range, 1-76 months). Local recurrence occurred in 1 patient who had positive surgical margins 3 years after the initial surgery. Conclusions: Solitary fibrous tumors of the head and neck region are rare and most commonly benign. The diagnosis depends on microscopic and immunohistochemical features, although imaging may help. Patients with these tumors can be safely treated with local excision, but tumors with positive margins require close follow-up over several years owing to the potential for late local recurrence. ©2006 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
Keywords: immunohistochemistry; adult; clinical article; controlled study; human tissue; treatment outcome; aged; middle aged; survival rate; clinical feature; histopathology; review; cancer recurrence; adjuvant therapy; nuclear magnetic resonance imaging; follow up; follow-up studies; magnetic resonance imaging; mitosis; cd34 antigen; protein bcl 2; computer assisted tomography; diagnosis, differential; tumor markers, biological; tomography, x-ray computed; data base; necrosis; disease progression; malignant neoplastic disease; cell adhesion molecules; mitosis rate; eosin; hematoxylin; benign tumor; antigens, cd; solitary fibrous tumor; radiodiagnosis; antigens, cd34; proto-oncogene proteins c-bcl-2; pathologist; soft tissue neoplasms; soft tissue tumor; head and neck tumor; otorhinolaryngologic neoplasms; subcutaneous tissue; mouth tumor; neoplasms, fibrous tissue
Journal Title: Archives of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery
Volume: 132
Issue: 5
ISSN: 0886-4470
Publisher: American Medical Association  
Date Published: 2006-05-01
Start Page: 517
End Page: 525
Language: English
DOI: 10.1001/archotol.132.5.517
PUBMED: 16702568
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 26" - "Export Date: 4 June 2012" - "CODEN: AONSE" - "Source: Scopus"
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MSK Authors
  1. Ronald A Ghossein
    482 Ghossein
  2. Snehal G Patel
    412 Patel
  3. Diane Carlson
    52 Carlson
  4. Mark Allen Edgar
    45 Edgar
  5. Hilda Stambuk
    48 Stambuk
  6. Ian Ganly
    430 Ganly
  7. Jatin P Shah
    721 Shah