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Low-grade osteosarcoma of the jaw
Wei Zhao1, Joel Cure, Claudia Y Castro
1Departments of Pathology and Radiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL 35249, USA.
Annals of Diagnostic Pathology
|December 13, 2002
Summary
This case report details a rare low-grade osteosarcoma of the jaw in a young woman. Surgical removal was successful, with the patient recovering well 7 months post-operation.
Area of Science:
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Osteosarcoma, a malignant bone tumor, rarely occurs in the jaw.
- Low-grade osteosarcomas present unique diagnostic challenges due to their subtle histological features.
Observation:
- A 25-year-old woman presented with a slowly growing, expansile left mandibular mass.
- Radiographic imaging revealed a predominantly hypodense lesion with an aggressive, erosive growth pattern affecting the mandible.
- Surgical resection of the 7.0 cm tumor was performed via left hemimandibulectomy.
Findings:
- Microscopic examination showed bland spindle cells with minimal atypia, focal osteoid formation, extensive bone destruction, and soft tissue infiltration.
- Immunohistochemical stains were noncontributory for definitive diagnosis.
- The resected tumor was well-circumscribed, multinodular, and firm.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering rare entities like low-grade jaw osteosarcoma in the differential diagnosis of mandibular masses.
- Successful surgical management in this case suggests favorable outcomes are possible with prompt diagnosis and treatment.
- Further research into the specific molecular markers and optimal treatment strategies for low-grade jaw osteosarcomas is warranted.