Oncocytic Carcinoma of the Submandibular Gland: A Case Report

Recurrence with lymph node and brain metastasis of an oncocytic carcinoma of the submandibular gland: A case report

Oncocytic carcinomas of the salivary glands are rare. The submandibular gland is a rare location. It is usually associated with a poor prognosis and recurrence after treatment. We report a case of a 52-year-old man with a lymph node and brain metastasis recurrence of an oncocytic carcinoma of the submandibular gland.

Submandibular oncocytic carcinoma: A case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Oncocytic carcinoma (OC) arising in the submandibular gland is an unusual malignant neoplasm, with <20 cases previously reported. The cancer is characterized by numerous morphologically abnormal mitochondria present in the cytoplasm and marked cellular pleomorphism. At its most severe, the tumor may invade into the surrounding tissues, including intravascular, lymphatic, or perineural invasion, and lead to regional nodal or distant metastasis.

METHODS

The current study describes a novel OC case in a 46-year-old male, the youngest case of the review. The patient presented with a 5-month history of an intermittently painful mass.

RESULTS

Following magnetic resonance imaging, excisional biopsy, hematoxylin-eosin staining, phosphotungstic acid-hematoxylin staining, and immunohistochemical examination, an OC of the submandibular gland was diagnosed.

CONCLUSION

The current study summarizes the pathogenesis, diagnosis, therapeutics, and the prognosis of OC. The literature review regarding this rare disease is also presented to emphasize the lack of specific markers of OC and the risk of cervical lymph metastasis.