Rare Entity of Clear Cell Carcinoma Arising from the Soft Palate: A Case Report

Abstract

Clear cell carcinoma (CCC) is a rare minor salivary gland carcinoma, comprise 0.2%–1% of all salivary gland tumors. This particularly occurs in the minor salivary glands of oral cavity and oropharynx, the palate was the most common location. CCCs are most commonly asymptomatic as an indolent, painless, submucosal mass. The prognosis of CCC is generally good, with low locoregional recurrence after primary surgical management and relatively limited metastatic potential. The recommended standard of CCC treatment is complete local resection of tumor with a 0.5 cm to 2 cm considered sufficient and curative in most cases. We report a case of a 38 years old Balinese woman presented with painless lump in the soft palate. The tumor measured around 2 × 2 cm in diameter and diagnosed as CCC of salivary glands which is a rare finding. Local resection of the tumor done with safety margin and no reconstruction post-surgery needed. The patient was followed up regularly with excellent prognosis and with no signs of recurrence. Key words: Clear Cell Carcinoma, Soft palate, Minor salivary gland