Cutaneous histiocytic sarcoma arising from soft tissue filler injections: a case report

BackgroundThe administration of soft-tissue fillers is a popular aesthetic procedure. Nonetheless, it can result in complications such as foreign-body reactions, infections, skin necrosis, granulomas, and even malignant transformation. This case study documents an unusual occurrence of sarcoma follo...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Jangyoun Choi, Heeyang Park, Eun Jeong Ko, Jong Yun Choi, Suk-Ho Moon, Deuk Young Oh, Young-Joon Jun
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Oncology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1403881/full
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849338294955933696
author Jangyoun Choi
Heeyang Park
Eun Jeong Ko
Jong Yun Choi
Suk-Ho Moon
Deuk Young Oh
Young-Joon Jun
author_facet Jangyoun Choi
Heeyang Park
Eun Jeong Ko
Jong Yun Choi
Suk-Ho Moon
Deuk Young Oh
Young-Joon Jun
author_sort Jangyoun Choi
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundThe administration of soft-tissue fillers is a popular aesthetic procedure. Nonetheless, it can result in complications such as foreign-body reactions, infections, skin necrosis, granulomas, and even malignant transformation. This case study documents an unusual occurrence of sarcoma following a prior cosmetic injection.Case reportA male patient, aged 76, presented with facial swelling. He received filler injections from a non-professional aesthetician twenty-five years ago. The patient reported a slow downward movement of the injected material, recurring inflammation, and the development of multiple nodules. An excisional biopsy and tissue culture were conducted, which did not identify any microorganisms but did reveal a dense infiltration of large polygonal cells with pleomorphic nuclei. The diagnosis of histiocytic sarcoma(HS) was confirmed through immunohistochemistry. A comprehensive systemic examination, including contrast MRI and PET-CT, identified multiple nodular soft tissue lesions in the subcutaneous layer of the face and intense metabolic activity in the same nodular lesions. Metabolic activities were also observed in the abdominal wall, indicating a potential migration of the injected material. Following diagnosis, all remaining lesions in the forehead, nose, and abdomen were surgically excised. Due to the complete nature of the excision, adjuvant chemoradiation was not administered.ConclusionThis case underscores the serious complication that can result from unauthorized filler injections, including the extremely rare histiocytic sarcoma. It emphasizes the necessity of cautious follow-up and patient education in aesthetic procedures.
format Article
id doaj-art-7da98103d31247e5af521d2ac8e76e89
institution Kabale University
issn 2234-943X
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Oncology
spelling doaj-art-7da98103d31247e5af521d2ac8e76e892025-08-20T03:44:27ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Oncology2234-943X2025-03-011510.3389/fonc.2025.14038811403881Cutaneous histiocytic sarcoma arising from soft tissue filler injections: a case reportJangyoun ChoiHeeyang ParkEun Jeong KoJong Yun ChoiSuk-Ho MoonDeuk Young OhYoung-Joon JunBackgroundThe administration of soft-tissue fillers is a popular aesthetic procedure. Nonetheless, it can result in complications such as foreign-body reactions, infections, skin necrosis, granulomas, and even malignant transformation. This case study documents an unusual occurrence of sarcoma following a prior cosmetic injection.Case reportA male patient, aged 76, presented with facial swelling. He received filler injections from a non-professional aesthetician twenty-five years ago. The patient reported a slow downward movement of the injected material, recurring inflammation, and the development of multiple nodules. An excisional biopsy and tissue culture were conducted, which did not identify any microorganisms but did reveal a dense infiltration of large polygonal cells with pleomorphic nuclei. The diagnosis of histiocytic sarcoma(HS) was confirmed through immunohistochemistry. A comprehensive systemic examination, including contrast MRI and PET-CT, identified multiple nodular soft tissue lesions in the subcutaneous layer of the face and intense metabolic activity in the same nodular lesions. Metabolic activities were also observed in the abdominal wall, indicating a potential migration of the injected material. Following diagnosis, all remaining lesions in the forehead, nose, and abdomen were surgically excised. Due to the complete nature of the excision, adjuvant chemoradiation was not administered.ConclusionThis case underscores the serious complication that can result from unauthorized filler injections, including the extremely rare histiocytic sarcoma. It emphasizes the necessity of cautious follow-up and patient education in aesthetic procedures.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1403881/fullhistiocytic sarcomaforeign-body reactionfillerstumorigenesisinjection site reaction
spellingShingle Jangyoun Choi
Heeyang Park
Eun Jeong Ko
Jong Yun Choi
Suk-Ho Moon
Deuk Young Oh
Young-Joon Jun
Cutaneous histiocytic sarcoma arising from soft tissue filler injections: a case report
Frontiers in Oncology
histiocytic sarcoma
foreign-body reaction
fillers
tumorigenesis
injection site reaction
title Cutaneous histiocytic sarcoma arising from soft tissue filler injections: a case report
title_full Cutaneous histiocytic sarcoma arising from soft tissue filler injections: a case report
title_fullStr Cutaneous histiocytic sarcoma arising from soft tissue filler injections: a case report
title_full_unstemmed Cutaneous histiocytic sarcoma arising from soft tissue filler injections: a case report
title_short Cutaneous histiocytic sarcoma arising from soft tissue filler injections: a case report
title_sort cutaneous histiocytic sarcoma arising from soft tissue filler injections a case report
topic histiocytic sarcoma
foreign-body reaction
fillers
tumorigenesis
injection site reaction
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1403881/full
work_keys_str_mv AT jangyounchoi cutaneoushistiocyticsarcomaarisingfromsofttissuefillerinjectionsacasereport
AT heeyangpark cutaneoushistiocyticsarcomaarisingfromsofttissuefillerinjectionsacasereport
AT eunjeongko cutaneoushistiocyticsarcomaarisingfromsofttissuefillerinjectionsacasereport
AT jongyunchoi cutaneoushistiocyticsarcomaarisingfromsofttissuefillerinjectionsacasereport
AT sukhomoon cutaneoushistiocyticsarcomaarisingfromsofttissuefillerinjectionsacasereport
AT deukyoungoh cutaneoushistiocyticsarcomaarisingfromsofttissuefillerinjectionsacasereport
AT youngjoonjun cutaneoushistiocyticsarcomaarisingfromsofttissuefillerinjectionsacasereport