Spindle Cell Carcinoma
Spindle cell carcinoma is a rare and aggressive variant of squamous cell carcinoma, a type of non-melanoma skin cancer. When viewed under a microscope, a spindle cell carcinoma tumor can be distinguished by its long and narrow cells, which have a spindle-like appearance.
While squamous cell carcinoma lesions typically form on the skin, spindle cell carcinoma lesions are more likely to develop in the oral cavity, such as the mouth, lips or tongue, or inside the throat.
Spindle cell carcinoma causes and risk factors
Unlike most skin cancers, spindle cell carcinoma is not caused by exposure to harmful ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun or indoor tanning devices. Instead, researchers have determined that the cancer develops when sensitive skin cells inside the mouth and larynx are damaged and forced to regenerate at an abnormally rapid rate. The primary risk factors for spindle cell carcinoma are:
- Smoking and other forms of tobacco use
- Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages
- Prior radiation treatment for head or neck cancer
Spindle cell carcinoma is more common among men than women, possibly because men are more likely to use tobacco products. The average age at the time of diagnosis is 65.
Spindle cell carcinoma signs and symptoms
Because spindle cell carcinoma often affects internal tissues, it may not produce visible warning signs. Some possible symptoms include:
- Pain and swelling around the tumor
- Persistent ulceration and bleeding
- Burning or prickling sensations in the arms, hands or feet (paresthesia)
Spindle cell carcinoma diagnosis
An internal spindle cell carcinoma tumor can be difficult to detect and challenging to distinguish from a benign tumor. After performing a medical history review and physical examination, a physician may order imaging scans to evaluate a suspected tumor and pinpoint its location. Additionally, the physician will likely order a biopsy, which is the only way to confirm or rule out a skin cancer diagnosis.
A biopsy involves removing all or part of a suspicious lesion for microscopic evaluation by a pathologist. Once the biopsy is complete, the pathologist will prepare a report detailing the results, including whether any cancerous cells were found and, if so, the type of cancer and whether it has aggressive features.
Spindle cell carcinoma treatment
In some cases, an entire spindle cell carcinoma lesion can be removed during a biopsy and no further treatment is needed. However, if a tumor is confirmed to be cancerous and it was not completely removed, further surgery may be considered.
Another treatment option for spindle cell carcinoma is image-guided radiation therapy, which combines frequent imaging with the power of high-energy beams to break up and destroy cancerous cells with heightened accuracy.
Benefit from world-class care at Moffitt Cancer Center
At Moffitt, we take a highly individualized approach to cancer care. In our renowned Cutaneous Oncology Program, each patient is guided by a multispecialty team that focuses exclusively on treating all types of skin cancer, including rare and complex variants such as spindle cell carcinoma.
As the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center based in Florida, Moffitt is a nationally recognized leader in cancer research. With a commitment to transforming our investigational breakthroughs into accessible treatments for our patients as quickly as possible, we continue to achieve outstanding outcomes that exceed national averages.
You do not need a referral to request an appointment with a specialist at Moffitt. Simply call 1-888-663-3488 or submit a new patient registration form online.