Hemangiopericytoma in the Neck

Abstract

Introduction: Hemangiopericytoma is a rare mesenchymal tumor (vascularized and potentially malignant) derived from pericytes. It can occur anywhere in the body; however, isolated cases are described in the neck. Complete surgical resection is the cornerstone of treatment.

Objective: To present a case of hemangiopericytoma in the neck, as an unusual case, with unknown malignant potential, as well as its timely diagnosis and treatment.

Case presentation: A 39-year-old male patient, with no known history of disease, had a noticeable mass at the V level of the right neck. Imaging studies showed a vascularized tumor of approximately 6 x 7 x 6 cm, between the scalene muscles, which originated in the deep cervical artery. Hemangiopericytoma was confirmed by incisional biopsy, as well as treated by complete tumor resection and with adjuvant radiotherapy. Currently, the patient has no tumor activity after his initial treatment.

Conclusions: Hemangiopericytoma in the neck is rare. Its diagnosis is a clinical and histologic challenge because, being uncommon, its malignant potential is unknown. Those tumors with low-grade malignancy can be controlled, according to their location and size, by complete resection; while high-grade tumors may recur and give rise to metastases. Our patient had histopathologic features with capsular invasion, which resulted in an increased risk of local recurrence. For this reason, adjuvant treatment with radiotherapy was decided to be applied. The patient remains without local or distant tumor recurrence after 9 years of medical surveillance.