Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor of the Tongue: A Rare Case in a Pediatric Patient

TL;DR

A rare case of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor in a 13-year-old girl's tongue was diagnosed and successfully treated with surgery.

Contribution

This case report adds to the limited literature on oral IMTs in pediatric patients and emphasizes the importance of genetic testing for diagnosis.

Findings

The tumor showed ALK gene rearrangement, a key diagnostic marker.

Complete surgical excision was achieved with a favorable prognosis.

Histopathological and genetic analysis was critical for accurate diagnosis.

Abstract

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) are rare neoplasms with intermediate biological potential, most often found in the abdominal cavity of children and young adults. Oral IMTs are extremely rare, presenting diagnostic challenges due to non-specific clinical features and a wide range of differential diagnoses. A 13-year-old female presented with an asymptomatic nodule on the dorsal tongue. Surgical excision was performed. Histopathological analysis, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization identified spindle-shaped myofibroblastic cells, an inflammatory infiltrate, low proliferative activity (Ki-67), and an ALK gene rearrangement. These findings confirmed the diagnosis of oral IMT with a favorable prognosis. The surgical excision was complete. This case highlights the diagnostic complexity of oral IMTs and underscores the importance of histopathological and genetic analysis in establishing prognosis and identifying potential therapeutic targets.

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