Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2025
04:34
Surgical Treatment of an Endolymphatic Sac Tumor
Published on: May 26, 2023
590
Pleomorphic dermal sarcoma of the auricular helix
Antonio Dekhou1, Laurel Bond1, Stephanie M Bryant2
1Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States.
Journal of Surgical Case Reports
|December 12, 2024
Summary
This case study details a rare pleomorphic dermal sarcoma (PDS) on the ear of an unhoused patient. It highlights challenges in diagnosing and treating this superficial head and neck cancer in vulnerable populations.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Surgical Oncology
- Head and Neck Cancer
Background:
- Cutaneous malignancies of the head and neck are frequent, but superficial sarcomas are uncommon.
- Pleomorphic dermal sarcoma (PDS) is a rare type of skin cancer.
Observation:
- A 71-year-old unhoused male presented with a large, isolated, pedunculated mass on the left auricular helix.
- The patient faced barriers to healthcare access and had low health literacy.
Findings:
- Preoperative biopsy indicated pleomorphic dermal sarcoma (PDS).
- Surgical resection with partial auriculectomy and flap closure was performed.
- Final pathology confirmed PDS of the ear.
Implications:
- This case underscores the diagnostic and management complexities of rare superficial sarcomas in underserved populations.
- It emphasizes the need for tailored approaches to skin cancer care in patients with social vulnerabilities.
- The successful treatment highlights the importance of accessible surgical oncology services.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Skin Cancer
3.4K
Skin cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when there is an abnormal growth of skin cells, usually triggered by damage to the DNA within the skin cells. It is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, and its incidence continues to rise.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
3.4K
01:06Multipotency and Niche of Bulge Stem Cell
3.4K
A hair follicle or HF is a small part of the skin that produces the hair shaft. Paul Gerson Unna was the first to observe a bulge in the human hair follicle's outer root sheath (ORS). The bulge is present between the sebaceous gland and the arrector pili muscle and is the niche for hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs). The bulge is also a niche for melanocyte stem cells, and their loss results in graying of hair. The HFSCs express Sox9 and Lhx2, which help them maintain stemness and prevent...
3.4K
01:16Anatomy of the Ear
7.2K
Auditory sensation, commonly called hearing, involves the transformation of sonic waves into neural impulses facilitated by the structures of the auditory organ. The prominent, flesh-like structure on the side of the head, called the auricle, directs sound waves towards the auditory canal. The auricle is often mislabeled as the pinna, a term more aligned with mobile structures like a feline's external ear. The auditory canal penetrates the cranium via the external auditory meatus of the...
7.2K
01:11Papillary Dermis
2.6K
Dermis
The dermis might be considered the "core" of the integumentary system, as distinct from the epidermis and hypodermis. It contains blood and lymph vessels, nerves, and other structures, such as hair follicles and sweat glands. The dermis is made of two layers of connective tissue that comprise an interconnected mesh of elastin and collagenous fibers, produced by fibroblasts.
Papillary Layer
The papillary layer is made of loose, areolar connective tissue, which means the collagen...
The dermis might be considered the "core" of the integumentary system, as distinct from the epidermis and hypodermis. It contains blood and lymph vessels, nerves, and other structures, such as hair follicles and sweat glands. The dermis is made of two layers of connective tissue that comprise an interconnected mesh of elastin and collagenous fibers, produced by fibroblasts.
Papillary Layer
The papillary layer is made of loose, areolar connective tissue, which means the collagen...
2.6K