Clear cell-rich salivary duct carcinoma involving the palate

Abstract

Salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) is a rare and aggressive neoplasm arising from salivary glands. SDC occurs most frequently in major salivary glands, with isolated cases arising from the minor salivary glands. The occurrence of clear cells in salivary gland tumors is uncommon and is rarer in SDC cases. We report the case of a 51-year-old male diagnosed with a clear cell variant of SDC in the minor salivary gland, involving the left hard palate. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed positivity for HER2/neu and GATA-3. The patient was submitted to radical surgical excision, neck dissection, and radiotherapy. Unfortunately, he died 14 months after the cancer diagnosis.