Korean J Head Neck Oncol.  2024 May;40(1):15-17. 10.21593/kjhno/2024.40.1.15.

A Rare Case of Clear Cell Carcinoma of the Tongue Base: A Case Report

• Kim HJ
• Oh H
• Oh KH
• Kwon SY

• KMID: 2556203
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.21593/kjhno/2024.40.1.15

Abstract

Clear cell carcinoma is a rare variant of salivary gland carcinoma, and its occurrence in the tongue base is even rarer. We present a case of a 55-year-old female patient with clear cell carcinoma of the tongue base. The patient initially presented with a 3-month history of palpable tongue mass, leading to her visit to the otolaryngology outpatient clinic. The patient underwent a complete resection of the tumor under general anesthesia. Postoperative follow-up imaging studies showed no evidence of recurrence. This case report highlights the diagnostic and management challenges associated with clear cell carcinoma of tongue base and demonstrates that a high index of suspicion is required to diagnose clear cell caricnoma, given its rarity and overlapping features with other clear cell neoplasms.

Keyword

Clear cell carcinoma⋅Tongue base⋅Head and neck neoplasms