Management of sarcomatoid salivary duct carcinoma of the submandibular gland duct with coexisting seropositive human immunodeficiency virus.

BACKGROUND: Sarcomatoid salivary duct carcinoma of the submandibular gland is extremely rare. This paper highlights the impact of surgery and adjuvant radiation therapy on the outcome of this disease. METHODS: A 59-year-old man with human immunodeficiency virus presented with a painless, rapidly growing left neck mass. Biopsy followed by surgical excision of the left submandibular gland revealed sarcomatoid salivary duct carcinoma of the submandibular gland duct with perineural invasion and close margins, for which he underwent adjuvant radiotherapy. Post-operative positron emission tomography and computed tomography revealed no residual or metastatic disease. Pathological analysis of tumour-node-metastasis staging revealed a T2 N0 M0 (stage II) tumour. RESULTS: The patient tolerated his treatment without serious acute or long-term side effects. There was no evidence of disease on comprehensive examination or on positron emission tomography or computed tomography scans at the 4.6-year follow up. CONCLUSION: Surgery followed by adjuvant radiotherapy provided practical locoregional control with acceptable toxicity. Further detailed case reports are warranted to optimise the management of this rare malignancy.

Trimodality approach for ceruminous mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the external auditory canal.

BACKGROUND: Ceruminous mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the external auditory canal is extremely rare. This paper highlights the impact of concurrent chemoradiotherapy on the outcomes of this disease. CASE REPORT: A 47-year-old female presented with a 2-month history of otalgia and a mass in her right ear. Biopsy revealed high grade ceruminous mucoepidermoid carcinoma. She underwent surgical excision of the right external auditory canal and right upper neck dissection. Pathological analysis of tumour-node-metastasis staging revealed a T2 N0 (stage II) tumour. One year later, computed tomography scanning of the temporal bone showed tumour recurrence. Biopsy revealed recurrent ceruminous mucoepidermoid carcinoma. The patient underwent salvage resection. Pathology revealed that the tumour was diffusely invading nearby structures, with perineural invasion, lymphatic spread and extracapsular extension. Pathological analysis of tumour-node-metastasis staging revealed a T3 N1 M0 (recurrent stage IV) tumour. RESULTS: The patient subsequently received concurrent chemoradiotherapy. There was no evidence of disease at 37 months' follow up. CONCLUSION: The trimodality approach, using surgery plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy, provided reasonable loco-regional control with tolerable toxicity. Further detailed case reports are warranted to optimise the management of this rare malignancy.