Uncommon pair: tonsillar carcinoma and Abrikossoff tumor—case report and review
Lymphoepithelial carcinoma (LEC) is a rare malignancy within the head and neck region, histologically akin to undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma. It is uncommon outside the nasopharynx, particularly in the oropharynx and salivary glands. Granular cell tumors (GCTs), or Abrikossoff’s tumors, a...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Oncology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1560133/full |
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| author | Filippo Valentini Daniela Messineo Mara Riminucci Alessandro Corsi Armando De Virgilio |
| author_facet | Filippo Valentini Daniela Messineo Mara Riminucci Alessandro Corsi Armando De Virgilio |
| author_sort | Filippo Valentini |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Lymphoepithelial carcinoma (LEC) is a rare malignancy within the head and neck region, histologically akin to undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma. It is uncommon outside the nasopharynx, particularly in the oropharynx and salivary glands. Granular cell tumors (GCTs), or Abrikossoff’s tumors, are rare mesenchymal neoplasms of neural origin, frequently benign but with the potential for malignant transformation. This case report presents an unprecedented clinical scenario of a 62-year-old female patient diagnosed with an HPV/EBV-negative LEC of the right palatine tonsil, coupled with metachronous squamous dysplasia and a contralateral GCT of the true vocal cord. Following initial presentation with cervical swelling, hoarseness, and dysphagia, diagnostic imaging and histopathological analyses confirmed the distinct co-occurrence of these rare entities. The patient underwent multidisciplinary treatment, including transoral robotic surgery (TORS), radical neck dissection, and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy for LEC. Simultaneously, the GCT was managed surgically with close-margin excision, with ongoing surveillance for recurrence. A comprehensive treatment strategy meticulously addressed the unique pathological and therapeutic challenges posed by the simultaneous management of these neoplasms. This case underscores the critical importance of thorough diagnostic evaluation and multidisciplinary planning in managing complex oncological scenarios. The concurrent presentation of LEC and GCT in the head and neck region necessitates individualized approaches, integrating surgical precision and adjuvant therapies. The rarity of this co-occurrence highlights the need for further studies to refine diagnostic markers and therapeutic guidelines, improving patient outcomes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8299d730fac74f58a77199dca966b8d8 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2234-943X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Oncology |
| spelling | doaj-art-8299d730fac74f58a77199dca966b8d82025-08-20T02:08:35ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Oncology2234-943X2025-06-011510.3389/fonc.2025.15601331560133Uncommon pair: tonsillar carcinoma and Abrikossoff tumor—case report and reviewFilippo Valentini0Daniela Messineo1Mara Riminucci2Alessandro Corsi3Armando De Virgilio4Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, ItalyDepartment of Radiologic, Oncologic and Anatomo-Pathologic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, ItalyDepartment of Molecular Medicine, Section of Pathology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, ItalyDepartment of Molecular Medicine, Section of Pathology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, ItalyDepartment of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, ItalyLymphoepithelial carcinoma (LEC) is a rare malignancy within the head and neck region, histologically akin to undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma. It is uncommon outside the nasopharynx, particularly in the oropharynx and salivary glands. Granular cell tumors (GCTs), or Abrikossoff’s tumors, are rare mesenchymal neoplasms of neural origin, frequently benign but with the potential for malignant transformation. This case report presents an unprecedented clinical scenario of a 62-year-old female patient diagnosed with an HPV/EBV-negative LEC of the right palatine tonsil, coupled with metachronous squamous dysplasia and a contralateral GCT of the true vocal cord. Following initial presentation with cervical swelling, hoarseness, and dysphagia, diagnostic imaging and histopathological analyses confirmed the distinct co-occurrence of these rare entities. The patient underwent multidisciplinary treatment, including transoral robotic surgery (TORS), radical neck dissection, and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy for LEC. Simultaneously, the GCT was managed surgically with close-margin excision, with ongoing surveillance for recurrence. A comprehensive treatment strategy meticulously addressed the unique pathological and therapeutic challenges posed by the simultaneous management of these neoplasms. This case underscores the critical importance of thorough diagnostic evaluation and multidisciplinary planning in managing complex oncological scenarios. The concurrent presentation of LEC and GCT in the head and neck region necessitates individualized approaches, integrating surgical precision and adjuvant therapies. The rarity of this co-occurrence highlights the need for further studies to refine diagnostic markers and therapeutic guidelines, improving patient outcomes.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1560133/fulltonsillar carcinomalymphoepithelial carcinoma (LEC)transoral robotic surgery (TORS)Abrikossoff tumorvocal cord abnormalitieshead and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) |
| spellingShingle | Filippo Valentini Daniela Messineo Mara Riminucci Alessandro Corsi Armando De Virgilio Uncommon pair: tonsillar carcinoma and Abrikossoff tumor—case report and review Frontiers in Oncology tonsillar carcinoma lymphoepithelial carcinoma (LEC) transoral robotic surgery (TORS) Abrikossoff tumor vocal cord abnormalities head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) |
| title | Uncommon pair: tonsillar carcinoma and Abrikossoff tumor—case report and review |
| title_full | Uncommon pair: tonsillar carcinoma and Abrikossoff tumor—case report and review |
| title_fullStr | Uncommon pair: tonsillar carcinoma and Abrikossoff tumor—case report and review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Uncommon pair: tonsillar carcinoma and Abrikossoff tumor—case report and review |
| title_short | Uncommon pair: tonsillar carcinoma and Abrikossoff tumor—case report and review |
| title_sort | uncommon pair tonsillar carcinoma and abrikossoff tumor case report and review |
| topic | tonsillar carcinoma lymphoepithelial carcinoma (LEC) transoral robotic surgery (TORS) Abrikossoff tumor vocal cord abnormalities head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1560133/full |
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