The study describes a case of neoplasm of the tongue and presents the diagnostic work-up that led to the diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A patient was treated for leiomyosarcoma of the tongue, an extremely rare lesion, which quite exceptionally occurs in this site. Diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma of the tongue is definitely cumbersome and difficult to substantiate. Histological immunohistochemical assessments were conducted.
TREATMENT
The patient underwent right hemi-glossectomy surgery under general anesthesia, with a tumor-free excision margin of more than 1 cm.In the specific case, the emptying of the lymph nodes of the latero-cervical chain was not performed, as they appeared to be free from clinical and instrumental evaluation. It was therefore decided to subject the patient to a close follow-up, postponing any surgical measures on the lymph nodes when the objective and instrumental clinical picture changes. The patient underwent a course of chemotherapy and no radiotherapy was performed, as it was reserved for large tumors with an extension mass deemed inoperable.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
A rare case of leiomyosarcoma was identified, accounting for about 0.7% of all malignancies. Proper and early detection, along with timely treatment, is essential to safe- guard the patient’s health.
