ANTICANCER RESEARCH 27: 4271-4278 (2007)

Hyalinizing Clear Cell Carcinoma Arising on the Anterior Palatoglossal Arch

FRANCESCA ANGIERO and MICHELE STEFANI

Università degli studi di Milano Istituto di Anatomia Patologica sez. Patologia Orale, 20122 Milan, Italy

Abstract. Hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma (HCCC) is very rare In the oral cavity, HCCC generally arises in the minor in the oral cavity, arising more frequently in the minor salivary salivary glands, with the most frequent site of occurrence glands. We present the case of a 57-year-old woman with a being the , followed by the , floor of the , swelling on the anterior palatoglossal arch of 2x1 cm size. An buccal mucosa, retromolar trigone (2-8) and jaws (9). Other incisional biopsy was taken and histological examination revealed sites are the parotid glands (10), the hypopharynx and the typical clear cells arranged in anastomosing trabeculae, cords, nasopharynx (11, 12). nests, and solid sheets with a hyalinizing stroma. These clear cells HCCC generally develops in women in the fifth to seventh were strongly positive to periodic acid-Schiff stain (PAS) but were decades; it presents as a slow-growing and painless negative for mucicarmine. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic submucosal mass without surface ulceration, unless it has cells were immunoreactive to pancytokeratin, focally positive to been secondly traumatized (2, 3). Numbness, pain and even EMA, but negative for smooth muscle actin (SMA), vimentin and limitation of movement have been noted if the lesion involves S-100 protein, HMB45, CD68, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) the tongue (2, 5, 13-16). Bone destruction and movement of and glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP). These findings allowed teeth have been reported when the lesion affects the jaws (9). us to define this tumor as a clear cell tumor of the anterior A rare case of clear cell carcinoma of the anterior palatoglossal arch. The tumor was subjected to radical excision palatoglossal arch is reported here, which, to our knowledge and the patient is doing well at twelve months after surgery. This is the first such report. The histopathological diagnosis and report focuses on the heterogeneous group of clear cell neoplasms immunohistochemical profile are also discussed. with the intent of pointing out some aspects that may contribute to forming a diagnosis of HCCC, and which, above all, enable us to Case Report distinguish this neoplasm from other very similar forms occurring in the oral cavity. A 57-year-old woman sought treatment at the Department of Oral Pathology of the Milan Stomatological Institute, for Hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma (HCCC) is a rare tumor of a swelling measuring 2 cm x 1 cm on the anterior palatine the oral cavity, and, whereas in the WHO classification of pillar that had appeared approximately two months earlier tumors it is still indicated as being a variant (Figure 1). Her medical history was unremarkable. Given of clear cell epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma, many the cyst-like aspect of the lesion, a cytological needle biopsy researchers now think it should be a separate entity with its was performed and the cytology of the specimen was own characteristic histological features (1). reported to be compatible with the diagnosis of mucosal The clinical, epidemiological and histopathological cyst. An excisional biopsy was performed via the intra-oral features of HCCC as a separate entity from other clear approach with Nd: YAG laser therapy (125 W, 15 Hz, 60 s cell salivary gland tumors were first described by for 5 applications, fiber 329 Ìm) (Figure 2) and the Milchgrub et al. in 1994 (2). specimen was sent to the Institute of Pathological for histological examination. The pathological diagnosis was of HCCC with positive margins. Based on the histopathological diagnosis, the patient was hospitalized and Correspondence to: Professor Michele Stefani, Istituto di Anatomia an extensive surgical excision with marginal resection of the Patologica sez. Patologia Orale, Via della Commenda 19, 20122 left palatoglossal arch was performed. The patient Milan, Italy. Tel: +39 0250320807, Fax: +39 02799007, e-mail: [email protected] underwent thoracic and abdominal computed tomography to exclude the possibility of metastases from a clear cell Key Words: Clear cell carcinoma, hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma, kidney tumor. Twelve months after surgery, the patients is oral cavity, minor salivary gland tumor. tumor-free and in a good condition.

0250-7005/2007 $2.00+.40 4271 ANTICANCER RESEARCH 27: 4271-4278 (2007)

Figure 1. Clinical photograph shows a mass of 2x1 cm in the left palatoglossal arch; the overlying mucosal surface is normal in colour.

Figure 2. Clinical photograph of the area during excisional biopsy via intra-oral approach with Nd: YAG laser.

4272 Angiero and Stefani: Hyalinizing Clear Cell Carcinoma

Figure 3. Tumor comprises two cell populations: a population of predominantly clear cells (displaying water-clear cytoplasm) and another population of smaller cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm (hematoxylin and eosin staining; original magnification x200).

Figure 4. Clear cells and some eosinophilic cells arranged in anastomosing thick trabeculae with a hyalinizing and myxoid stroma (hematoxylin and eosin staining; original magnification x150).

4273 ANTICANCER RESEARCH 27: 4271-4278 (2007)

Figure 5. A strong positive immunoreactivity for cytokeratins (original magnification x150).

Figure 6. Focal positive immunoreactivity for EMA expression (original magnification x150).

4274 Angiero and Stefani: Hyalinizing Clear Cell Carcinoma

Table I. Immunohistochemical findings of the presented case.

Antibody Supplier Dilution Reaction

Mib-1 Dako (North America, Inc, Carpinteria, CA, USA) 1:200 – Desmin Dako 1:200 – Vimentin Ventana ( Medical System Inc, Arizona, USA) Prediluted – S-100 Dako 1:200 – Pancytokeratin (AE1/AE3) Ventana Prediluted + + CD68 Dako 1:500 – HMB45 Ventana Prediluted – SMA Dako 1:200 – GFAP Dako 1:1000 – CEA Dako 1:100 – EMA Dako 1:100 +

– No staining; + focally positive for a limited number of cells; ++ (intensely positive), focally or diffusely positive for numerous cells; SMA: Alpha smooth muscle Actin; GFAP: Glial fibrillary acid protein.

Materials and Methods as well as in clear cell tumors metastizing from the kidney. The presence of clear cells in most of these tumors generally The excised biopsy specimens were fixed in 10% buffered-formalin comprises a lesser component; however, they may also be and paraffin-embedded. They were cut into 4-Ìm-thick sections, more abundant, which raises the problem of differential mounted on glass slides and stained with hematoxylin and eosin, diagnosis. It is also true that the afore-mentioned tumors periodic acid Schiff (PAS) and mucicarmine. For the immunohistochemical study, the standard streptavidin biotin sometimes present typical morphological features that aid immunoperoxidase method was employed. Primary antibodies used diagnosis, but in other cases they may be a diagnostic for immunohistochemistry and a summary of the results are given challenge for the oral pathologist, especially, for epithelial- in Table I. myoepithelial tumors with a large component of clear cells, The immunohistochemical reactivity was determined and graded and for a clear cell kidney tumor metastized to the oral cavity. as follows: negative, no staining; positive, focally positive for a The epithelial-myoepithelial tumor is a biphasic neoplasm limited number of cells; and intensely positive, focally or diffusely comprising ductal and large myoepithelial cells, in which positive for numerous cells. large clear cells may sometimes be predominant. There is Results also less overall cellular uniformity compared to the clear cell carcinoma. The clear cells contain glycogen that can be On microscopy, the tumor showed epithelial cells and clear demonstrated with PAS stain, while mucicarmine staining is cells (displaying water-clear cytoplasm), with a subpopulation negative and the immunohistochemical profile indicates that of smaller cells showing eosinophilic cytoplasm immersed in a the tumor cells are of epithelial origin without myoepithelial myxoid stroma (Figure 3). In some areas, aggregates of clear differentiation. cells were visible, interspersed with hyalinized areas (Figure 4). There is uncertainty with mucoepidermoid carcinomas, Tumor cells were positive for PAS but negative for which generally exhibit 10% of clear cells but occasionally mucicarmine. Immunohistochemically, all tumor cells this component may be larger. These carcinomas stain displayed the expected pattern of immunoreactivity, with positive with mucicarmine, whereas clear cell tumors do not. positive results for pancytokeratin (Figure 5), focally positive Similarly, acinic cell adenocarcinomas are infiltrative and for EMA (Figure 6), and negative results for staining with well-circumscribed tumors in which, though rarely, clear antibodies against MIB-1, S-l00 protein, HMB45, smooth cells can sometimes predominate. They may be muscle actin, CD68 and CEA. Tumor cells were also negative distinguished by serous acinar differentiation and also stain for vimentin and glial fibrillary acidic protein immunostaining. positively with mucicarmine. Clear cell oncocytomas and nodular oncocytic Discussion hyperplasias (usually circumscribed and non-infiltrative tumors) are frequently multifocal, and here, too, clear cells The presence of clear cells may be observed in a wide variety can sometimes dominate, but both react positively to PAS of salivary glands tumors, including mixed tumors, stain and mucicarmine. myoepitheliomas, oncocytomas, mucoepidermoid tumors, The sebaceous adenoma and sebaceous adenocarcinoma acinic cells, adenocarcinomas and adenoid cystic carcinomas, are very rare tumors, exhibiting cytoplasm that is optically

4275 ANTICANCER RESEARCH 27: 4271-4278 (2007) empty since it is full of liquids that are lost in the course of cases previously reported (2, 19). In our case, we ensured routine histological procedures. They contain lipid droplets, that the tumor was removed with a wide margin of surgical giving the cytoplasm a foamy appearance resembling the clear resection. Recurrence of HCCC after surgical resection has cell tumor. However, they develop more frequently close to rarely been documented. Tang et al. (18) and Milchgrub et the maxillary or mandibular alveolar ridges, and enter into al. (2) reported two cases of recurrence after surgery, due differential diagnosis with the clear cell odontogenic to incomplete resection. carcinoma (9), a rare tumor of the odontogenic tissue, visible Based on what is reported in the English language radiologically as a centralized destructive osseous lesion, this literature, and maintaining the distinction between feature being indicative of odontogenic lesions. hyalinized and non-hyalinized forms, only 34 cases of Lastly, metastases from a renal cell tumor or from a hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma originating from the minor clinical standpoint a Sarcoidosis must be ruled out. salivary glands have been reported in the past (25). With Sarcoidosis, may affect any oral region, including , hard regard to non-hyalinized forms, 18 cases have been reported and , tongue, tonsil, major and minor salivary to date (26). The distinction appears to us entirely arbitrary, glands, and gingival. Generally it has been described as a in agreement with Ellis et al. (1), since this feature does not swelling non-tender, well-circumscribed, brownish red or appear to condition either the biological behavior of the lilaceous nodules or papules with feature likewise the tumor or its prognosis. present case, but the clinical and radiographic findings Given the limited experience regarding these tumors, should be supported by histological evidence of a opinions differ also with regard to prognosis. Some authors widespread non-caseating epithelioid cell granulomas in consider HCCC as a low-grade malignancy, whereas others more than 1 organ (17). While the renal cell tumor may be view it as a more aggressive and invasive one (2, 16, 23). excluded through clinical and immunohistochemical Previous cases have been reported of local regional lymph observation, in the present case we employed radiography node metastases (2, 12, 16, 19, 23) and of distant metastasis; and abdominal computed tomography, since this lesion Ereno et al. (12) reported one HCCC in the hypopharynx could not be excluded with certainty through routine metastasizing to the lung; O’Regan et al. (23) reported a histological stains, and immunohistochemistry helps since case widely metastasizing to the vertebral bodies, mandible renal cell carcinomas characteristically express vimentin, and left femur, in which the patient died within 10 months unlike clear cell tumors (2). of the initial presentation. Our patient is doing well 12 A significant feature that should be considered is months after surgery. hyalinization; this is part of the histopathological To conclude, the picture that emerges is of a rare spectrum of clear cell carcinoma, and hyalinizing stroma tumor, with low malignancy in general. Of the 34 cases may range from abundant to scarce and may even be reported, only two gave rise to metastases (long-term entirely absent. Hyalinization is a distinctive evaluation is still lacking for our case). Histopathological morphological feature that allows HCCC, to be diagnosis is difficult, because many tumors of the minor distinguished from other salivary gland neoplasms with a salivary glands may present similar features, and clear cell phenotype (2, 7, 8, 18, 19). Microscopically, the differential diagnosis must be especially careful; hyalinized form shows clear cells arranged in immunohistochemical investigations are necessary to anastomosing thick trabeculae, cords, nests, or solid distinguish between the various forms. sheets within a hyalinizing stroma, and our case was consistent with these characteristic features of HCCC. References From the immunohistochemical investigations useful to distinguish among the various forms, we obtained the 1 Ellis GL: Clear cell neoplasms in salivary glands: clearly a following results: positive staining for cytokeratins; negative diagnostic challenge. Ann Diagn Pathol 2(1): 61-78, 1998. 2 Milchgrub S, Gnepp DR, Vuitch F, Delgado R and Albores- for S-100, SMA, CEA and vimentin (which on the contrary Saavedra J: Hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma of salivary gland. was not found in epithelial myoepithelial tumors) (2, 8, Am J Surg Pathol 18: 74-82, 1994. 16,18-21). We also detected focal positivity of the tumor 3 Zhi-Jun Sun, Yi-Fang Zhao, Lu Zhang, Wen-Feng Zhang, Xin- cells to epithelial membrane antigen which is in accordance Ming Chen and San-gang He: Hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma with previously published data (2). We also tested for in minor salivary glands of maxillary tuberosity. Oral Oncology HMB45, another marker that might be of value for Extra 41: 306-310, 2005. specifying tumor origin, to exclude clear cell melanoma; the 4 Simpson RH, Sarsfield PT, Clarke T and Babajews AV: Clear cell carcinoma of minor salivary glands. Histopathology 17(5): absence of staining thus excluded this possibility. 433-438, 1990. Regarding treatment, local wide-margin excision seems 5 Manoharan M, Othman NH and Samsudin AR: Hyalinizing to be the treatment of choice (2, 9, 12, 13, 22-24). clear cell carcinoma of minor salivary gland: case report. Braz Postoperative radiotherapy has been employed in some Dent J 13(1): 66-69, 2002.

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