Spindle cell carcinoma of the head and neck: A report of 6 cases

Spindle cell carcinoma of the head and neck is a rare neoplasm. We at Kyushu Cancer Center experienced 6 cases of spindle cell carcinoma which accounted for 0.9% of all cases of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. These cases presented with the characteristic clinical presentation, such as a particular form (polypoid and exophytic) and difficulty of pathological diagnosis. For treatment, surgery was performed in the main, but in one case of hypopharyngeal cancer chemoradiotherapy was undertaken. Spindle cell carcinoma exhibits a poor prognosis, compared with the other squamous cell carcinomas. However for the moment, 4 of 6 cases are surviving, and disease free. We will require long-term monitoring of these cases.