Background: Sarcomatoid carcinoma is a rare subtype of non-small-cell lung cancer, commonly associated with locally advanced disease, early metastasis, and poor prognosis. Tongue metastasis from lung cancer is a rare condition that may occur in advanced stage of the disease.
Case summary: The patient was a 70-year-old female with a history of resected pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma (PSC) who presented with subacute tongue swelling, imparting the clinical impression of a lingual abscess. However, histologic examination of the partial glossectomy revealed a high-grade, poorly differentiated spindle and epithelioid carcinoma consistent with metastatic PSC.
Conclusion: Although uncommon, clinicians should be cognizant of the possibility of a metastatic process to the tongue mimicking a benign or inflammatory process. A high index of suspicion for metastatic disease should be maintained when tongue swelling is observed in patients with a known history of PSC.
Keywords: Case report; Lung cancer; Metastasis; Sarcomatoid carcinoma; Tongue; Tongue swelling.
©The Author(s) 2020. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.