Year: 2026 | Month: June | Volume: 16 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 186-191
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20260621
Primary Palatal Clear Cell Carcinoma: A Rare Case Report Highlighting Morphological Diagnostic Criteria and Surgical Management
Ajay K Boralkar1, Avinash Kumar Sinha2, Ghanta H Sundhar3
1Associate Professor, Department of Surgical Oncology, Government Medical College and Cancer Hospital, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Maharashtra, India
2MCh Resident, Department of Surgical Oncology, Government Medical College and Cancer Hospital, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Maharashtra, India
3MCh Resident, Department of Surgical Oncology, Government Medical College and Cancer Hospital, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Maharashtra, India
Corresponding Author: Avinash Kumar Sinha
ABSTRACT
Background: Clear cell carcinoma (CCC) is a rare malignant epithelial neoplasm primarily arising within the minor salivary glands of the oral cavity. Characterized by an indolent clinical course, its diagnosis classically relies on identifying specific architectural and cytomorphological patterns on routine Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining, especially when immunohistochemical (IHC) profiling is unavailable.
Case Description: We report the case of a 68-year-old man presenting with a painless, slow-growing swelling on the hard palate of 3 years duration. Following clinical and radiological evaluation, left infrastructural maxillectomy was performed. Histopathological examination (HPE) on routine H&E staining revealed classic features of clear cell carcinoma arising from minor salivary gland, characterized by monomorphic cells with abundant clear cytoplasm arranged in cords and nests within a prominent hyalinized stroma. No features of a biphasic cell population or squamous/mucinous differentiation were identified.
Conclusion: While immunohistochemistry is a valuable diagnostic adjunct, classic histomorphological presentation on routine H&E remains a reliable cornerstone for diagnosing CCC in resource-limited settings or when features are highly characteristic. Wide surgical excision with negative margins offers an excellent prognosis, though long-term surveillance is necessary.
Key words: Clear cell carcinoma, Hard palate, Minor Salivary gland tumours, Oral Oncology, Maxillectomy.