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Composite Hemangioendothelioma of the Submandibular Region

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Head and Neck Pathology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Composite hemangioendothelioma (HE) is a rare vascular neoplasm of intermediate malignant potential that predominantly occurs within the dermis or subcutis of the extremities, and occurs in a wide age range. It is locally aggressive with a high rate of local recurrence, and more rarely regional lymph node or distant metastasis. Histologically, it is composed of a complex admixture of benign, intermediate and malignant vascular components. Although composite HE may contain angiosarcoma-like areas, its prognosis is better than that of pure angiosarcoma. We describe a case of composite HE presenting as a submandibular mass in a 43 year-old male, which included areas of prominent ‘high grade’ epithelioid angiosarcoma. This adds to the range of anatomic sites of these neoplasms, highlights the importance of recognition of the head and neck as a potential site, and emphasizes the importance of accurate diagnosis for correct management (including of long term follow up) and prognostication.

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Acknowledgments

We acknowledge support from the NIHR Royal Marsden/ICR Biomedical Research Centre.

Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest or funding to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sarcoma Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, 203 Fulham Road, London, SW3 6JJ, UK

    Sarah Lam Shang Leen, Cyril Fisher & Khin Thway

  2. Head and Neck Unit, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK

    Peter M. Clarke, Cyril Fisher & Khin Thway

  3. Department of Histopathology, Ipswich Hospital, Ipswich, UK

    John Chapman

Authors
  1. Sarah Lam Shang Leen
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  2. Peter M. Clarke
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  3. John Chapman
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  4. Cyril Fisher
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  5. Khin Thway
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Correspondence to Khin Thway.

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Leen, S.L.S., Clarke, P.M., Chapman, J. et al. Composite Hemangioendothelioma of the Submandibular Region. Head and Neck Pathol 9, 519–524 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12105-015-0612-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12105-015-0612-6

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