Clear cell oral squamous cell carcinoma as a diagnostic conundrum: report of 2 rare cases

The occurrence of clear cell histologic sub-type of oral squamous cell carcinoma in the oral cavity is a distinct and exceedingly rare entity exhibiting aggressive behavior. To date, only 10 cases have been published in the literature. We describe 2 extremely rare cases, both presenting with swelling and ulcerated nodule-like proliferative growth in the mandible. Microscopically, sheets and lobules of neoplastic squamous epithelial cells showing clear cell differentiation were appreciated in both patients. Periodic acid-Schiff and mucicarmine revealed negative staining. Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis for antibody for renal cell tumor marker CD 10 was immune-negative. The malignant clear cells in both cases showed intense positive reactions with IHC markers pan-cytokeratin and epithelial membrane antigen, confirming the diagnosis as a clear cell variant of oral squamous cell carcinoma (CCOSCC). The first patient was unwilling for treatment and eventually died within 2 months of the diagnosis. In the second patient, right hemi-mandibulectomy with level 1A and 1B lymph nodes was performed. Adjuvant chemotherapy with low-dose methotrexate was initiated. Follow-up after 2 months of surgery was uneventful. Current rare reports emphasize the significance of prompt and extensive diagnostic work-up of clear cell neoplasms, as the CCOSCC may be fatal.