A case of glycogen-rich clear cell adenocarcinoma arise from minor salivary gland in the oral

The glycogen-rich clear cell adenocarcinoma of minor salivary gland is a very rare tumor. This entity, originally reported in 1975 by Mohamed and Cherrick, was distinguished from other recognized clear cell neoplasms of salivary gland origin metastatic adenocarcinomas, and glycogen-rich clear cell adenocarcinoma under a light microscopic, and by histochemical, and ultrastructural analysis. We experienced a case of glycogen-rich clear cell adenocarcinoma originating in the minor salivary gland of the left buccal mucosa, and reported the clinical course of a patient, and histopathologic findings and ultrastructural findings.The patient, a 56-year-old man admitted to Higashi-Nippon-Gakuen University Hospital in January, 1982 complaining of a tumor lesion of the left buccal mucosa. Oral examination revealed a lesion the size of a small finger, which was elastically hard and movablelesion. A tentative clinical diagnosis of malignant neoplasm of the minor salivary glands was made. An incisional biopsy was performed and the microscopic diagnosis was clear cell tumor. the tumor of left buccal mucosa was extirpoted, left upper neck dissection was conducted, and metastasis to the cervical lymph nodes was seen.A one year follow up showed evidence of left neck metastasis. Left radical neck dissection was conducted, and treated with chemotherapy.But 6 months later metastasis to the lungs was seen, and evidence of recurrence was noted at the interior of the mandiblular angle. The patient died March, 1986. Microscopic examination revealed an encapsulated, infiltrating tumor composed of nests, cords, and sheets of clear cells. The cytoplasma of the tumor cells was PAS-positive, diastase soluble, and Mucicalmin and Alcian blue negative. Electron microscopic examination revealed a glycogen. rich clear cell adenocarcinoma which is said to consist of two types of cells. One is rich organella, it seemed to have dark cells. The other had less organella with glycogen granule and appeared to have light clear cytoplasma.