Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Tongue with a Sarcomatoid Micronodule: Report of a case

Abstract

We report a case of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue with a sarcomatoid micronodule in a 76-year-old man. A white lesion with erosion was observed on the right inferior surface of the tongue, and carcinomatous change of leukoplakia was suspected. Microscopic examination of a biopsy specimen revealed a micronodular proliferation of spindle cells with continuity to invasive squamous cell carcinoma . Although spindle cells did not demonstrate epithelial characteristics immunohistochemically , S-100 protein-positive cells were observed among them. Based on these findings, sarcomatoid differentiation of squamous cell carcinoma to nerve sheath cells, myofibroblasts or Langerhans cells was suggested.