Abstract
Clear cell carcinoma is rarely found in the salivary gland. It is classified as a low-grade carcinoma. This case demonstrates a low-grade clear cell carcinoma with myoepithelial features in the submandibular gland which differs from hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma and epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma. A 32-year-old man presented with a 7 month history of left submandibular swelling. Left submandibular gland excision and left-sided supra-omohyoid neck dissection were performed. Microscopically, the tumor was circumscribed and composed predominantly of cords and nests of clear ovoid cells, set in a densely hyalinizing stroma. These cells are diffusely immunoreactive for cytokeratin AE1/AE3 and focally reactive for vimentin and smooth muscle actin (SMA). Based on these findings, the tumor was diagnosed as “a low-grade clear cell carcinoma with myoepithelial features”. The post-operative course was uneventful and the patient is free from disease 21 month after surgery.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Uzochukwu NO, Shrier DA, Lapoint RJ (2007) Clear cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue: MR imaging findings. Am J Neuroradiol 28:127–128
Balakrishnan R, Nayak DR, Pillai S, Rao L (2002) Hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue. J Laryngol Otol 116:851–853
Triantafillidou E, Dimitrakopoulos I, Skordalaki A (1997) Clear cell carcinoma of the minor salivary glands: Report of a case. Aust Dent J 42:8–10
Milchgrub S, Genepp DR, Vuitch F, Delgado R, Albores-Saavedra J (1994) Hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma of salivary gland. Am J Surg Pathol 18:74–82
Sicurella F, Gregorio A, Stival P, Brenna A (2004) Clear cell carcinoma of minor salivary gland of the tongue. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital 24:157–160
Manoharan M, Othman NH, Samsudin AR (2002) Hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma of minor salivary gland: case report. Braz Dent J 13:66–69
Littman CD, Alguacil-Garcia A (1987) Clear cell carcinoma arising in pleomorphic adenoma of the salivary gland. Am J Clin Pathol 88:239–243
Chen KT (1983) Clear cell carcinoma of the salivary gland. Hum Pathol 14:91–93
Wang B, Brandwein M, Gordon R, Robinson R, Urken M, Zarbo RJ (2002) Primary salivary clear cell tumors-a diagnostic approach: a clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study of 20 patients with clear cell carcinoma, clear cell myoepithelial carcinoma, and epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma. Arch Pathol Lab Med 126:676–685
Rinaldo A, McLaren KM, Boccato P, Maran AG (1999) Hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and of the parotid gland. ORL J Otorhinolaryngol Relat Spec 61:48–51
Suzuki H, Katoh A, Udaka T, Shiomori T, Fujimura T, Fujimura K et al (2006) Hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma arising from the base of the tongue. Acta Otolaryngol 126:653–656
Chao TK, Tsai CC, Yeh SY, The JE (2004) Hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma of the hard palate. J Laryngol Otol 118:382–384
O’Regan E, Shandilya M, Gnepp DR, Timon C, Toner M (2004) Hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma of salivary gland: an aggressive variant. Oral Oncol 40:348–352
Acknowledgments
This case was consulted with Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in regard to the pathological diagnosis.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Haruyama, T., Furukawa, M., Matsumoto, F. et al. Low-Grade Clear Cell Carcinoma with Myoepithelial Features in the Submandibular Gland. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 63 (Suppl 1), 131–134 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-011-0196-8
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-011-0196-8