Solitary fibrous tumor of the sublingual gland: a case report

TL;DR

A rare case of a benign tumor in the sublingual gland was diagnosed and successfully treated with surgery.

Contribution

Highlights the importance of considering solitary fibrous tumor in sublingual gland mass diagnoses.

Findings

The tumor showed strong nuclear STAT6 and diffuse CD34 positivity, confirming it as a solitary fibrous tumor.

Complete surgical excision led to no recurrence after 18 months, though tongue deviation remained.

Sublingual gland SFTs are rare and can mimic malignancies, requiring histopathological confirmation.

Abstract

To emphasize the importance of considering solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) in the differential diagnosis of sublingual gland masses, particularly those presenting with unusual symptoms like tongue deviation.

A case of a 41-year-old female with a painless sublingual mass and tongue deviation was analyzed. Clinical presentation, imaging, surgical management, histopathological findings, immunohistochemical results, and follow-up were systematically reviewed. Management consisted of complete surgical excision of the sublingual gland and the tumor, with preservation of the lingual and hypoglossal nerves.

Histopathology revealed haphazardly arranged spindle cells with characteristic staghorn-shaped blood vessels. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed strong nuclear STAT6 and diffuse CD34 positivity, consistent with SFT. The patient remained recurrence-free at 18 months postoperatively, although tongue deviation persisted.

sublingual gland SFTs are exceptionally rare and may mimic malignancies. Benign tumors such as SFT should be considered in the differential diagnosis of sublingual masses. Definitive diagnosis depends on histopathological and immunohistochemical confirmation. Complete surgical excision offers a favorable prognosis.

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