Larynx, hypopharynx & trachea
Squamous cell carcinoma
Spindle cell carcinoma
Author: Nat Pernick, M.D.
Last author update: 1 November 2013
Last staff update: 30 June 2022
Copyright: 2002-2024, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: Spindle cell carcinoma larynx
Table of Contents
Definition / general | Prognostic factors | Treatment | Gross description | Microscopic (histologic) description | Positive stains | Negative stains | Differential diagnosis | Additional referencesCite this page: Pernick N. Spindle cell carcinoma. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/larynxspindlecelltumors.html. Accessed May 6th, 2024.
Definition / general
- Also called sarcomatoid carcinoma, carcinosarcoma
- Uncommon in larynx; more common elsewhere in upper aerodigestive tract
- 90% male; mean age 66 years, range 35 - 92 years
- Associated with smoking (87%), alcohol (48%) and history of radiation therapy
- 71% are glottic; 59% are T1
- May recur locally (18%) or have distant metastases (14%); 18% die of disease
- Nodal metastases may have epithelial or stromal patterns or both
Prognostic factors
- Depth of invasion more important than differentiation of spindle component
Treatment
- Surgery with or without radiation; 45% recur
Gross description
- Polypoid (99%) tumors, mean size 2 cm
Microscopic (histologic) description
- Squamous cell carcinoma with spindle cell component (reactive, sarcomatous or variant of squamous cell carcinoma) that is often storiform or pleomorphic, may contain foci of benign or malignant cartilage or bone
- Frequent mitotic activity; often squamous cell carcinoma in situ
Positive stains
- Vimentin, 34betaE12 and AE1 / AE3; variable smooth muscle actin
Negative stains
Differential diagnosis
- Pure sarcoma
- Reactive conditions
Additional references
