Nuclear protein in testis midline carcinoma of larynx: An underdiagnosed entity

Head Neck. 2016 Aug;38(8):E2471-4. doi: 10.1002/hed.24418. Epub 2016 Mar 29.

Abstract

Background: Nuclear protein in testis (NUT) carcinomas are very rare and have a very poor survival rate. The most common sites of involvement include the nasal cavity, sinus, and mediastinum. Laryngeal NUT midline carcinoma is extremely rare, with only 2 cases reported thus far. Here, we are describing another case of NUT laryngeal carcinoma.

Methods and results: The patient was a light smoker and nondrinker who presented with upper respiratory tract obstruction. Imaging and laryngoscopic evaluation revealed a large intraluminal laryngeal mass. Biopsy demonstrated poorly differentiated carcinoma with intact mucosa and only focal coexpression of CK5/6 and p40. NUT protein immune-stain positivity conclusively established the diagnosis of NUT midline carcinoma.

Conclusion: Absence of well-known risk factors, pathologic finding of lack of mucosal involvement and lack of squamous differentiation with poorly differentiated carcinoma, should prompt clinicians to consider this rare entity as a possible diagnosis. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38:E2471-E2474, 2016.

Keywords: laryngeal carcinoma; nuclear protein in testis (NUT) midline carcinoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Carcinoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Carcinoma / genetics
  • Carcinoma / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / genetics
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Laryngoscopy / methods
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / pathology
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics*
  • Oncogene Proteins / genetics*
  • Rare Diseases
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • NUTM1 protein, human
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Oncogene Proteins