Carcinoma with Triphasic Differentiation Arising from Inverted Papilloma in Sinonasal Sinus: A Rare Case with Molecular Characterization

Abstract

Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (SNEC) is a rare subset of tumors in the sinonasal sinus. Combined tumors are exceedingly rare. Here, we describe a 65-year-old male with a mixed tumor of SNEC and sarcomatoid carcinoma arising in an inverted papilloma, containing squamous cell carcinoma in situ (SqCCis) in the sinonasal sinus. We evaluated the molecular characteristics of the two separate carcinoma components using next-generation sequencing. The patient presented with a nasal obstruction. Computed tomography showed a mass infiltrating the right ethmoid and maxillary sinuses. An excisional biopsy was performed. The tumor was found to have three morphologically distinct components. The first was SqCCis arising in an inverted papilloma, which was positive for cytokeratin and P40. The second consisted of nests of densely packed small round cells representing SNEC-positive neuroendocrine markers. The third was a solid sheet of anaplastic spindle cell proliferation, which was negative for the above markers. Oncogenic mutations such as FBXW7, TP53, and EGFR were detected in both SNEC and sarcomatoid carcinoma, and MYCL amplification was observed only in the SNEC component. This case highlights an extremely rare presentation of combined SNEC and sarcomatoid carcinoma arising from an inverted papilloma in the sinonasal sinus.

Tumors of the sinonasal tract are rare, representing approximately 3% of head and neck malignancies and approximately 0.3% of all malignant tumors [1]. The most frequent histologic subtype is squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC), followed by adenocarcinoma, melanoma, and olfactory neuroblastoma [1,2]. Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (SNEC) is a rare tumor in the head and neck region that occurs most frequently in the larynx, while sinonasal sinuses are exceedingly rare primary sites [3].

Only a small case series and case reports have been published regarding primary sinonasal tract SNEC [3]. In addition, only a few examples of combined tumor have been reported in the sinonasal tract. These consisted mainly of a combination of adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine carcinoma, while cases of combined small cell and SqCC appear to be very rare [1,4]. Furthermore, the collision of three components (neuroendocrine cells, sarcomatous cells, and squamous cells) in a solid tumor is extremely rare, and no reports of combined tumors with these triphasic features have been reported in the literature [2].

Here, we describe the clinicopathological, immunohistochemical and molecular features of primary combined SNEC and sarcomatoid carcinoma arising from an inverted papilloma containing squamous cell carcinoma in situ (SqCCis) in the sinonasal sinus.

Next, we performed next-generation sequencing on each SNEC and the sarcomatoid carcinoma component to analyze the molecular heterogeneity of the tumor. As a result, oncogenic mutations, such as FBXW7 (c.1972C>T, p. R658*), TP53 (c.740A>T, p. N247I), and EGFR (c.2319_2320insAACCCCCAC, p. D770_N771insNPH) were detected in both the SNEC and sarcomatoid carcinoma components. Of note, MYCL amplification was observed only in the SNEC component, a frequent oncogenic event in SNEC, supporting our diagnosis. [5]. FBXW7 is well known to be highly frequently mutated in SqCC, and a loss of TP53 and mutation of FBXW7 in SqCC are known to lead to resistance to standard chemotherapy [6,7]. Therefore, it seems that this heterogeneous tumor arises from a single SqCC component and generates SNEC through further molecular alterations. The final stage was T4bN0M1.

After the biopsy, the patient underwent radiation therapy of 70.2 Gy. However, six months after surgical resection and radiation therapy, follow-up brain CT showed new round masses abutting the superior falx cerebri, left parietal lobe, and both frontal lobes (Figure 1D). The patient died later that month.

This case highlights an extremely rare presentation of primary combined SNEC and sarcomatoid carcinoma arising from an inverted papilloma in the sinonasal sinus. To the best of our knowledge, there have been no cases of combined SNEC and sarcomatoid carcinoma diagnosed in the sinonasal sinus reported in the literature. Since it can affect the treatment plan of chemotherapy or radiation therapy depending on the components constituting the tumor, the need for accurate pathological diagnosis and technology is required. Our findings can help pathologists and clinicians make accurate histological diagnoses of combined SNEC and sarcomatoid carcinoma and plan an adequate treatment strategy for this rare tumor.

The stains used were hematoxylin and eosin stain (Figure 2 and Figure 3) and the polymer method (Figure 3). The original magnifications were 40× in Figure 2, 400× in the inset of Figure 2, and 200× in Figure 3.