Metastatic Sarcoma of the Tongue: Pleomorphic Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma and Literature Review

Abstract

Metastatic tumors of the tongue are rare, most commonly arising from carcinomas of the lung, kidney, breast, and melanomas. They usually appear in end-stage disease, especially in the tongue base, probably because of the rich blood supply. Metastatic sarcomas of the tongue are even rarer. We report the seventh case of metastatic tongue sarcoma and the first one in the literature, arising from a pleomorphic malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) of the lower extremity. ENT surgeons, Maxillofacial surgeons, and Oncologists should be aware of the possibility of metastatic sarcomas of the tongue, even though these lesions are extremely rare. Furthermore, metastatic sarcomas of the tongue represent a late manifestation of a previously identified primary tumor, although if the primary site has not been identified, a thorough investigation to locate an occult tumor should be conducted.