Squamous cell carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells masquerading as pleomorphic sarcoma: A rare case report

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with osteoclast-like giant cells (OLGCs) is a rare entity known to occur in skin, breast, lung, and pharynx. Only a single case of SCC containing OLGC in larynx has been reported so far. We report a case of a 65-year-old male patient presenting with sudden onset respiratory distress, who was subjected to biopsy, which was reported as undifferentiated sarcoma which was endorsed on laryngectomy specimen, however, sections from cervical lymph nodes revealed deposits of SCC. Extensive resectioning revealed a single focus showing origin of poorly differentiated carcinoma from the overlying squamous epithelium. Hence in undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, a thorough sectioning and careful search for SCC including immunohistochemical markers should be done to exclude the possibility of a poorly differentiated epithelial malignancy.