Polymorphous hemangioendothelioma of the neck

Polymorphous hemangioendotheliomas are rare, low-grade borderline malignant vascular tumors of endothelial cell origin. To the best of our knowledge (MEDLINE 1966-2002), there have been nine cases of polymorphous hemangioendothelioma reported in the English literature. Most of the initial patients reported were men, but we present the third case in a woman. Her previous radiation history to the neck makes this report unique. Polymorphous hemangioendothelioma is characterized by the variety of patterns of growth within and between tumors, making histologic recognition of the tumor difficult. Because management remains conservative via wide local excision, the misdiagnosis of this lesion as a malignancy has possible treatment implications. Alternatively, the high propensity for local recurrence underscores the necessity for accurate classification of the neoplasm and close clinical follow-up.