Malignant Glomus tumour of the head and neck–A review

Publication date: Available online 26 December 2018

Source: Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Medicine, and Pathology

Author(s): Gifrina Jayaraj, Herald J. Sherlin, Pratibha Ramani, Don K.R, Archana Santhanam, Gheena Sukumaran, Abilasha Ramasubramanian

Abstract

Malignant glomus tumors are rare tumors of mesenchymal origin arising from the smooth muscle cells of the glomus body. A vast majority of the glomus tumors are benign and are commonly found in the distal extremities. Occasionally, malignant variant of glomus tumours present with a large size, infiltrative growth pattern, aggressive biological behavior such as recurrences, wide spread metastases and even death in some instances. Malignant Glomus tumors were believed to be low grade malignancies. However, from subsequently reported cases it has been evident that 38% of the MGTs have lead to fatal metastases. Malignant Glomus tumors have been reported in other organ sites like mediastinum, kidney, lungs, however their occurrence in the head and neck region is rare. This review discusses in detail about this rare but important soft tissue neoplasm.

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