Secretory carcinoma of the palate: A case report and review of literature

Abstract

AbstractSecretory carcinoma of the salivary gland is a newly introduced malignant tumour with histological and molecular characteristics similar to those of secretory carcinoma of the breast. Secretory carcinoma of the salivary glands and breast have an ETV6‐NTRK3 fusion gene with translocation t(12;15)(p13;q25). Most of them occur in the parotid gland and rarely in the minor salivary glands. A patient visited our hospital with a mass on the hard palate that had been present for more than 10 years. Treatment included wide resection, and no additional neck dissection or radiotherapy was performed. The final diagnosis was secretory carcinoma. Two years after surgery, no evidence of recurrence was noted. According to the literature to date, the treatment of secretory carcinoma of the palate is not significantly different from that of other low‐grade minor salivary gland tumours. Molecular testing is the gold standard for the diagnosis of secretory carcinoma; however, morphological features and immunohistochemistry could be sufficient to make a final diagnosis. Long‐term follow‐up data on this tumour are insufficient, thus warranting continuous follow‐up studies.