Hyalinizing clear cell adenocarcinoma of the oropharynx.
BACKGROUND
Hyalinizing clear cell adenocarcinoma (HCCA) is a rare salivary gland malignancy. To our knowledge, there are no published reports of primary clear cell carcinoma of the vallecula.


METHODS
A 59-year-old man with progressive dysphagia and otalgia underwent direct laryngoscopy with biopsy of a vallecular mass. The pathology results returned as clear cell adenocarcinoma. He underwent a wide local excision for his T₂N₀M₀ stage II tumor.


RESULTS
Clear cell adenocarcinoma of the oropharynx typically presents as a painless neck mass and it can be difficult to distinguish from other clear cell malignancies.


CONCLUSIONS
Immunohistochemical staining is essential for narrowing the differential diagnosis of these lesions. Treatment is controversial but usually consists of wide local excision and possibly a neck dissection.
Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033, USA.
Eelam
E
Adil
Dhave
D
Setabutr
Kael
K
Mikesell
David
D
Goldenberg
D018262:Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D004433:Earache / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery