title: Calcifications in a clear cell mucoepidermoid carcinoma: a case report with histological and immunohistochemical findings.
abstract: The aim of this study was to report an unusual case of mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) in a 39-year-old woman. The tumor showed a prominent population of clear and intermediate basal cells. Clear cells rarely predominate over other cell types. Such cases are called clear cell variant of MEC. The case also revealed a variable amount of calcified material in the tumor mass. Calcifications are rare in clear cell MEC. These structures were periodic acid-Schiff positive and diastase resistant, excluding glycogen origin. Immunohistochemistry was performed, and the epidermoid component was positive for cytokeratin (CK)7, CK13, CK14, and CK19. The mucous and clear cells presented mild staining for CK7. Cytokeratins 7, 13, and 19 stained luminal cells, and intermediate cells exhibited positivity for CK7, CK14, and vimentin. The origin of the calcifications is speculated to be the result of dystrophic calcification of the amorphous eosinophilic material secreted by intermediate basal cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, School of Dentistry of São José dos Campos, São Paulo State University, São José dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil. renatafalchete@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Renata Falchete
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: do Prado
authors.forename: Celina Faig
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.forename: Hélder Antônio Rebelo
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Pontes
authors.forename: Janete Dias
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.forename: Luiz Antônio Guimarães
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Cabral
authors.forename: Yasmin Rodarte
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Carvalho
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000032:analysis; D000328:Adult; D018277:Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007633:Keratins / Q000032:analysis; D009060:Mouth Floor / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D009375:Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D014746:Vimentin / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D014746:Vimentin; D007633:Keratins