# Solitary fibrous tumor of the sublingual gland: a case report

**Authors:** Jinpeng Liu, Yao Yu, Dongliang Lin, Yaoxiang Xu, Lei Ma

PMC · DOI: 10.3389/froh.2026.1742254 · 2026-02-03

## 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.

## Key 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.

## Linked entities

- **Proteins:** STAT6 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 6), CD34 (CD34 molecule)
- **Diseases:** solitary fibrous tumor (MONDO:0016238)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** S100A1 (S100 calcium binding protein A1) [NCBI Gene 6271] {aka S100, S100-alpha, S100A}, NAB2 (NGFI-A binding protein 2) [NCBI Gene 4665] {aka MADER}, STAT6 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 6) [NCBI Gene 6778] {aka D12S1644, HIES6, IL-4-STAT, STAT6B, STAT6C}, SMN1 (survival of motor neuron 1, telomeric) [NCBI Gene 6606] {aka BCD541, GEMIN1, SMA, SMA1, SMA2, SMA3}, CD34 (CD34 molecule) [NCBI Gene 947]
- **Diseases:** infection (MESH:D007239), numbness (MESH:D006987), soft tissue neoplasms (MESH:D012983), metastasis (MESH:D009362), necrosis (MESH:D009336), SFT (MESH:D054364), sublingual gland tumors (MESH:D013362), leiomyoma (MESH:D007889), pleomorphic adenoma (MESH:D008949), Benign tumors (MESH:D009369), schwannoma (MESH:D009442), deviation (MESH:D010262), trauma (MESH:D014947), adenoid cystic carcinoma (MESH:D003528), tongue deviation (MESH:D014060), gland masses (MESH:C536030), salivary gland tumors (MESH:D012468), lymphadenopathy (MESH:D008206), bleeding (MESH:D006470), mesenchymal tumor (MESH:C535700)
- **Chemicals:** pazopanib (MESH:C516667), HE (MESH:D006371)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Figures

1 figure with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12909558/full.md

---
Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12909558