Unveiling the Spectrum: Mesenchymal Lesions in Head-and-Neck from a Tertiary Care Hospital.

BACKGROUND

Mesenchymal lesions of the head-and-neck encompass a wide spectrum of benign and malignant tumors, many of which present diagnostic challenges due to overlapping histomorphological features. In India, especially in regions like Uttar Pradesh, the high prevalence of tobacco and areca nut use contributes to a notable burden of head-and-neck neoplasms.

AIM: To investigate the histopathological spectrum of mesenchymal lesions in the head-and-neck region, with correlation to clinical parameters and Immunohistochemistry analysis at a tertiary care center.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This retrospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Pathology, Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences, Saifai, Etawah. A total of 54 cases involving mesenchymal lesions of the head-and-neck region were retrieved from the histopathology archives from January 2024 to December 2024. Patient demographics, lesion site, and histopathological diagnoses were documented. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was applied in diagnostically challenging cases for confirmation.

RESULTS

The age of patients ranged from 4 to 82 years, with the majority in the 21-30 years of age group (27.77%). Neck lesions were the most frequently encountered (50%), followed by scalp lesions (11.1%). The most common benign tumor was lipoma, whereas Ewing sarcoma and low-grade chondrosarcoma represented the predominant malignant mesenchymal neoplasms. Immunohistochemistry was performed in 29 cases to validate diagnoses, particularly for sarcomas and undifferentiated tumors.

CONCLUSION

The head-and-neck region harbors a diverse range of mesenchymal neoplasms, many with overlapping histological appearances. Careful histomorphological evaluation combined with IHC is critical in distinguishing benign from malignant lesions to guide appropriate clinical management.