Reappraising hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma: A population-based study with molecular confirmation

ABSTRACT

Background

Hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma (HCCC) is a rare malignancy, characterized by EWSR1-ATF1 gene fusion, whose behavior is poorly understood, as it was for many years considered a diagnosis of exclusion.

Methods

All available salivary gland carcinomas (n = 594) from our institution were reviewed. Diagnosis of HCCC was confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for EWSR1. Literature review was performed.

Results

We found 15 patients with HCCCs (10 women, 5 men), 13 with EWSR1 rearrangement. Median age at diagnosis was 57 years (range, 31–87 years). Oral cavity (n = 9) and base of tongue (n = 4) were the most frequent primary sites. Combining our cases with those identified in literature review, the 10-year risk of local recurrence and locoregional nodal metastasis were 49% and 15%, respectively.

Conclusion

Molecularly confirmed HCCC accounted for 2.5% of salivary gland malignancies at our institution. HCCCs are indolent tumors with a propensity for locoregional recurrence. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2016

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