Clear cell odontogenic carcinoma of the maxilla: Clinical, histological and immunohistochemical features of a case

Clear cell odontogenic carcinomas are rare, aggressive tumours, most of which have been reported in the mandible of female patients. Here we report a clear cell odontogenic carcinoma of the maxilla in a 55-year old male, which was predominantly composed of sheets of polygonal cells with clear cytoplasm, admixed with smaller, eosinophilic cells, which were palisaded peripherally. The peripheral tumour cells expressed cytokeratins 7, 14 and, focally, CK19, but the clear cells were negative for all markers tested. An extended maxillectomy was performed. There was local recurrence after six years, which was treated with radiotherapy, and after a further year the patient is alive with no evidence of further disease. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.