Title:Non-squamous Tumors of the Oropharynx and Oral Cavity: CT and MR Imaging Findings with Clinical- Pathologic Correlation
Volume: 13
Author(s): Antonello Vidiri*, Davide Curione, Francesca Piludu, Antonino Guerrisi, Barbara Pichi, Giuseppe Mercante, Paolo Marchesi, Valentina Manciocco, Giuseppe Spriano and Renato Covello
Affiliation:
- Department of Radiology, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome,Italy
Keywords:
Computed tomography (CT), diagnostic imaging, magnetic resonance (MR), non-squamous tumors (non-SCCs),
oral cavity, oropharynx, pathology.
Abstract: Non-squamous cell neoplasms (non-SCCs) are rare tumors of the oropharynx and oral
cavity. They can be of many different histologic types, either benign or malignant, including in
decreasing order of frequency minor salivary gland tumors, lymphoma, mesenchymal tumors,
melanoma, and metastases. Unlike squamous cell carcinoma, non-SCCs could remain unidentified
on clinical examination/endoscopy, because they usually manifest as submucosal masses
without mucosal alterations. Diagnostic imaging, as CT and, more accurately, MR, plays an essential
role in the work- up of these neoplasms, mainly in the staging and follow-up. Furthermore,
radiologic features can, to a certain extent, help evaluate a lesion as more likely benign or
malignant. More significantly, although generally non-specific, they can suggest or even allow
the correct diagnosis in some cases, as pleomorphic adenoma, lymphoma, lipoma, hemangioma,
neurofibroma, liposarcoma, and melanoma, especially if integrated with clinical/endoscopic findings
and histologic knowledge. In this article, we illustrate CT and MR features of oropharyngeal
and oral cavity non-SCCs taken from our experience, with clinical-histologic correlation, and
review the literature on the topic.
