Spindle Cell Tumours of the Head and Neck-A Taxonomic Review

Spindle cell neoplasms of the head and neck region are relatively rare, yet there importance cannot be doubted. Spindle cells are of mesenchymal origin and constitute a part of the body’s connective tissue. Soft tissue spindle cell neoplasms may range from reactive lesions to benign and malignant tumours. This heterogenous group of lesions include those of neural, fibroblastic, myofibroblastic, myogenic and epithelial tumours. As the spindle cells contain both benign and malignant mimics, misclassification has the potential to result in either under or over treatment of the patient. The aim of this review is to evaluate available data on spindle cell neoplasms, to gain more insight into the molecular pathogenesis and immunohistochemistry of these lesions, and to integrate recent knowledge on spindle cell neoplasms and their emerging concepts for future prospects. An effort has also been made to add a few relevant neoplasms to the present working classification.