The Challenge of "Monomorphic" Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma-Report of a Rare Case with Pure Spindle-Clear Cell Morphology

Qu X, Chew EJC, Selvarajan S, Wu B, Agaimy A, Petersson F (2023)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2023

Journal

Head and Neck Pathology Springer

DOI: 10.1007/s12105-023-01547-9

Abstract

BackgroundMucoepidermoid carcinoma is a malignant salivary gland tumor which, in most cases, is composed of variable proportions of mucous, epidermoid, and intermediate cells.MethodsWe report a case of parapharyngeal mucoepidermoid carcinoma with highly unusual ("monomorphic") light microscopic features as well as atypical immunohistochemical properties. Molecular analysis was performed using the TruSight RNA fusion panel.ResultsThe tumor featured heretofore undescribed histopathological features: sheets and nests composed of monomorphic neoplastic (plump spindle to epithelioid) cells with no mucous, intermediate, glandular/columnar, or any other cell type identified. The neoplastic cells displayed variable clear cell change and only expressed cytokeratin 7. Despite this non-classical morphology, the presence of the classical CRTC1::MAML2 fusion was demonstrated.ConclusionsMucoepidermoid carcinoma featuring a uniform ("monomorphic") population of neoplastic cells is a novel observation. A confident diagnosis of mucoepidermoid carcinoma can be made upon detection of the CRTC1/3::MAML2 fusion. Our case increases the spectrum of histopathological appearances that mucoepidermoid carcinoma may display.

Authors with CRIS profile

Abbas Agaimy Lehrstuhl für Allgemeine Pathologie und Pathologische Anatomie

Involved external institutions

National University Health System (NUHS) SG Singapore (SG) Singapore General Hospital SG Singapore (SG)

How to cite

APA:

Qu, X., Chew, E.J.C., Selvarajan, S., Wu, B., Agaimy, A., & Petersson, F. (2023). The Challenge of "Monomorphic" Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma-Report of a Rare Case with Pure Spindle-Clear Cell Morphology. Head and Neck Pathology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12105-023-01547-9

MLA:

Qu, Xinyi, et al. "The Challenge of "Monomorphic" Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma-Report of a Rare Case with Pure Spindle-Clear Cell Morphology." Head and Neck Pathology (2023).

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