Case of parotid mucoepidermoid carcinoma: Expanding the spectrum of von Hippel-Lindau–related neoplasms

ABSTRACT

Background

von Hippel–Lindau (VHL)-related tumors occurring outside the spectrum of VHL-defining tumors are rare, and mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) in the setting of VHL disease has not been described.

Methods and Results

We describe a patient with confirmed VHL mutation who presented with a parotid mass and a history of 2 central nervous system (CNS) hemangioblastomas and 1 pheochromocytoma. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of the mass suggested a benign Warthin tumor. The mass was resected and final pathology revealed a low-grade MEC. Fluorescence in situ hybridization for the MECT1/MAML2 fusion gene frequently associated with MEC was performed and was negative. Molecular testing of tumor cells displayed a likely "second hit" VHL gene mutation.

Conclusion

There is a possible broader role of VHL mutations in tumorigenesis beyond the development of classically described VHL-defining neoplasms. Our case also demonstrates the importance of always considering the possibility of a parotid malignancy in patients with VHL despite a benign FNA. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2016

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