Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma of the Cheek with Surface Ulceration: Mimicking Spindle Cell Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS), also called malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH), belongs to the soft tissue tumors and is more likely in elder patients. UPS currently accounts for approximately 18% of cutaneous soft tissue sarcoma except Kaposi sarcoma. The most common sites are the extremities and head and neck. UPS is rapidly enlarging, and easily invades subcutaneous tissue and muscle without overlying skin changes. UPS tumors, which are confined to subcutaneous tissue, have been reported to be less than 10%. On the other hand, the involvement of the epidermis, occasionally with ulceration, is rare. Here, we describe a case of UPS of the cheek with surface ulceration. An 83-year-old man presented with a 1-year history of a red nodule on his left cheek. The size of the nodule gradually increased. Clinical examination revealed a 55 × 45 mm red, hard mass in the center of his left cheek with a large cratershaped ulcer involving the subcutaneous tissue. The bottom of the ulcer contained necrotic tissue. No cervical lymph nodes were palpable. A biopsy revealed a high-grade, pleomorphic spindle cell neoplasm and frequent abnormal mitotic figures within the dermis. We temporarily diagnosed and suspected a soft tissue sarcoma, but we could not rule out spindle cell squamous cell carcinoma (SCSCC). The patient underwent tumor resection and skin grafting. The tumor had reached the muscle layer of his left cheek with invasion and ulceration of the overlying skin. Histopathological examination of the totally resected tumor revealed a neoplasm of mesenchymal origin, rich in cells with morphology and immunohistochemical characteristics compatible with UPS. Malignant cells were not found in the epidermis. Immunohistochemical analyses were positive for vimentin, α-anti-trypsin, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and CD10, and negative for cytokeratins (CAM5.2 and AE1/AE3), lysozyme, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), CD34, S-100, desmin, and caldesmon. Two months after total resection, the tumor recurred, and the patient was treated with radiation therapy. However, he died 2 months later from multiple lung metastases. We thought that the metastases were from the UPS, because his prostatic carcinoma had not progressed. According to published literatures, the UPS rarely accompanies with surface ulceration. On the other hand, SCC commonly occurs on sun-exposed sites of the head and neck with surface changes including scaling, ulceration, crusting, and the presence of a cutaneous horn. In our case, it was very difficult to distinguish UPS from SCSCC by clinical examination and conventional histopathological staining (e.g. hematoxylin and eosin). Therefore, the immunohistochemistry was required to obtain the final diagnosis.