Mammary Analogue Secretory Carcinoma (MASC) of the submandibular gland - a case report

Introduction The MASC is a rare tumour entity of the salivary glands that was first described in 2010. It has special immunohistochemical and molecular characteristics that are similar to those of secretory carcinoma of the breast. Before its first description, MASC was classified as acinic cell-, mucoepidermoid-, or adenocarcinoma.

Case report A 19-year-old male patient presented to our clinic in March 2020 with a progressive mass in the left submandibular region. Sonographically showed a hypoechoic, smoothly delimited submandibular mass measuring 2x1.5 cm along with several enlarged cervical lymph nodes. We performed a submandibulectomy and Neck dissection. The pathological work-up showed a MASC in the submandibular gland. The lymph nodes were tumour free. Staging revealed no evidence of distant metastases (pT1pN0cM0, R0). Due to the R0 and N0 situation and the known low growth rate of this entity, therapy was completed. The patient is currently free of complaints and recurrences.

Discussion The MASC is a rare salivary gland tumour, which is mostly located in the parotid gland (70%). The diagnosis is confirmed histologically by detecting the ETV6-NTRK3 fusion gene. Although classified as a low grade carcinoma with a generally good prognosis, the differing data on the malignancy potential of these carcinomas show lymphogenic metastasis rates of up to 20%. The standard of therapy is radical resection. Adjuvant therapies are kept for individual cases.

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Publication History

Article published online:
13 May 2021