Composite hemangioendothelioma of the oral cavity: case report and review of the literature

Head Neck. 2008 Jul;30(7):974-9. doi: 10.1002/hed.20761.

Abstract

Background: Composite hemangioendothelioma is a rare histopathologic feature, which is part of the hemangioendothelioma family. This is a heterogeneous group of vascular neoplasia with a high tendency to local relapse but a rare predisposition to metastatic spread. Composite hemangioendothelioma mainly affects adults and is usually localized in the distal extremity of the limbs. To date, only 1 case has been detected in the oral cavity.

Methods: A case of composite hemangioendothelioma in a 38-year-old man is reported. The lesion was localized in the left cheek vestibular mucosa. It was surgically excised with a 1-cm safety margin. Reconstruction was performed with a platysma myocutaneous flap.

Results: At present, the patient is free from recurrence. The aesthetic and functional outcomes are satisfactory.

Conclusion: This case demonstrates how a composite hemangioendothelioma histological diagnosis can be difficult to achieve. Furthermore, therapy must be surgical and excision should be wide.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hemangioendothelioma / diagnosis
  • Hemangioendothelioma / pathology*
  • Hemangioendothelioma / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Mouth Mucosa / pathology
  • Mouth Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Mouth Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Mouth Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Oral Surgical Procedures / methods
  • Plastic Surgery Procedures / methods
  • Rare Diseases
  • Surgical Flaps
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome