# Hyalinizing Clear Cell Carcinoma of the Base of the Tongue: A Case Report and Literature Review

## TL;DR

This paper reports a rare case of hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma at the base of the tongue and reviews surgical approaches for treating this tumor.

## Contribution

The study highlights the use of a minimally invasive transoral surgical approach for HCCC at the base of the tongue.

## Key findings

- HCCC is a rare low-grade malignant tumor typically found in the oral cavity and oropharynx.
- A transoral approach was successfully used for a small, low-grade HCCC case, offering benefits like early oral intake and shorter hospitalization.
- The transoral method is proposed as a useful alternative to traditional surgical approaches for HCCC at the base of the tongue.

## Abstract

Hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma (HCCC) is a rare low-grade malignant tumor composed of clear cytoplasmic cells. It mainly arises from the minor salivary glands of the oral cavity and oropharynx of the head and neck region. As a relatively slow-growing tumor, the main symptom of HCCC is indolent discomfort associated with enlargement and little local pain. This report presents a 33-year-old female patient with HCCC at the base of the tongue and reviews 12 cases of HCCC occurring at the base of the tongue with a surgical procedure in detail. In most cases, excision was performed using the mandibulotomy or a transcervical approach. However, it was a small, low-grade malignant tumor in this case, and the transoral approach was adopted. This minimally invasive procedure allows early oral intake and a short hospitalization period. The oral method is also considered a useful surgical approach for treating HCCC of the base of the tongue.