Objective: To analyze the clinicopathologic features of clear cell carcinoma of salivary gland.
Methods: All cases of salivary gland tumors enrolled from January 1985 to May 2004 were reviewed, and ten cases of CCC were identified and analyzed by clinicopathology and immunohistochemistry.
Results: Seven tumors were from palate, one was from base of tongue, one in retromolar region, and one in floor of mouth. The mean age of five men and five women was 55 years. Microscopically, the tumors were predominantly composed of trabeculae, cords, nests, solid sheets of clear cells and a few eosinophilic cells, and the two kinds of tumor cells were surrounded by hyalinized stroma. Immunohistochemically, EMA and CK8 were positive in all cases, CK18 in five cases, CKHMW in two cases. CK10/13, S-100, SMA and Calponin were negative in all cases. There was no evidence of recurrence of disease or metastasis in eight followed-up patients.
Conclusions: CCC is a distinctive low grade malignant salivary gland neoplasm, arising mainly in the minor salivary glands, and it may originate from intercalated-duct reserve cells.