Resumen

LIUZZI, Juan et al. Carcinoma sarcomatoide de hipofaringe: Reporte de un caso. Rev. venez. oncol. [online]. 2006, vol.18, n.3, pp.171-176. ISSN 0798-0582.

The sarcomatoid carcinoma is an uncommon high-grade malignant neoplasia, which may cause diagnostic and therapeutic controversies. This tumor is frequent in the upper aerodigestive tract; however, the hypopharynx is a rare location. Very few cases have been reported worldwide. A case of a 42 year-old female patient with no history of tobacco and alcohol use, presenting dysphagia, weight loss, hoarseness and bilateral neck mass is reported. A hypopharynx tumour, in the left pyriform sinus with involvement of supraglottic larynx was detected with fiberoptic laryngoscope. A biopsy reported a sarcomatoid carcinoma. A laryngo-pharyngo-esophagectomy with bilateral neck dissection was performed and the defect was reconstructed with a gastric interposition. The patient had pulmonary and abdominal complications and died two months after the surgery. The sarcomatoide carcinoma is an uncommon and aggressive neoplasia whose prognosis depends on its location, size and presence of cervical metastasis; although generally the prognosis is bad independently of the received treatment.

Palabras clave : Cancer; sarcomatoid carcinoma; head and neck; hypopharynx; treatment; surgery.