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Adenosquamous carcinoma. A rare neoplasm with an aggressive course
S S Napier1, J S Gormely, C Newlands
1School of Clinical Dentistry, Queen's University and Ulster, Belfast, UK.
Summary
Adenosquamous carcinoma in the oral cavity is aggressive and can be fatal despite treatment. This rare cancer may be underdiagnosed due to diagnostic challenges.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Adenosquamous carcinoma is a rare malignancy with a poorly understood incidence.
- The oral cavity is an uncommon site for this type of cancer.
Observation:
- A case of adenosquamous carcinoma originating in the maxillary alveolus of a 61-year-old woman is presented.
- The tumor exhibited rapid metastasis to regional lymph nodes (submandibular and deep cervical).
- Despite aggressive treatment including surgery and radiotherapy, the patient succumbed to the disease.
Findings:
- Oral adenosquamous carcinoma demonstrates aggressive behavior and a poor prognosis, similar to its occurrence in other body sites.
- The actual incidence of oral adenosquamous carcinoma may be underestimated because the adenocarcinoma component can be minimal.
- Current histopathologic criteria for diagnosing oral adenosquamous carcinoma are not definitively established, potentially leading to underrecognition.
Implications:
- This case underscores the aggressive nature of adenosquamous carcinoma in the oral cavity.
- Improved diagnostic criteria and increased awareness among histopathologists are necessary for accurate diagnosis and to ascertain the true prevalence of this malignancy.
- Recognition of specific cancer subtypes and their prognostic implications is vital for effective patient management in oral oncology.