www.sbdmj.com - Stomatologija - Baltic Dental and Maxillofacial Journal

Stomatologija 2026; 28 (1): 29-32 419 KB

Diagnosis of secretory carcinoma of the upper lip: A rare case report and literature review

Caroline Alfaia-Silva¹, Túlio Silva Rosa¹, Paulo Victor Mendes Penafort², Larissa Tinô de Carvalho Silva², Amanda Almeida Leite³, Renata d'Andrada Tenório Almeida Silva⁴, Catarina Rodrigues Rosa de Oliveira⁴, Sonia Maria Soares Ferreira⁴, Ricardo Luiz Cavalcanti Albuquerque-Júnior⁵

Summary

Secretory carcinoma (SC) is a rare malignant neoplasm of the salivary glands, first recognized in 2010 due to its resemblance to secretory breast carcinoma. Although classified as a low-grade tumor with generally favorable outcomes, some cases may exhibit high-grade features, including lymph node metastasis and aggressive histological architecture. The defining characteristic of SC is the ETV6-NTRK3 gene fusion; however, diagnosis can also rely on histopathological and immunohistochemical criteria when this fusion is absent. SC typically requires complete surgical excision with negative margins, with adjuvant radiotherapy considered in selected cases. Occurrence of SC in the upper lip is extremely rare, particularly in female patients, making accurate diagnosis essential. A 50-year-old woman with a history of sinusitis, arthritis, hypercholesterolemia, and thyroid nodules presented with a slow-growing, painless nodule on the upper labial mucosa. Clinically, the lesion resembled a benign mucocele. Histopathological analysis revealed a fibrous capsule surrounding proliferating cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm and a predominantly microcystic pattern with some papillary features. Immunohistochemistry confirmed SC, with strong positivity for CK7, S100, and mammaglobin, and negativity for CK14 and p63. Complete surgical excision was performed, and no residual tumor was found. Follow-up over nine months showed no recurrence. This case highlights the importance of recognizing SC in atypical locations, such as the upper lip. Given its clinical similarity to benign conditions like mucocele, thorough histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses are crucial. Early identification and complete excision are key to achieving favorable outcomes.

Key words: secretory carcinoma, salivary gland, diagnosis, immunohistochemistry, lip neoplasms.

Received: 13 01 2025

Accepted for publishing: 20 03 2026

¹Postgraduate Program in Dentistry. Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil

²Postgraduate Program in Stomatopathology at the Piracicaba School of Dentistry, State University of Campinas, SP, Brazil

³Department of Clinical and Preventive Dentistry. Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil

⁴Department of Dentistry. University Center CESMAC, Maceió, AL, Brazil ⁵Department of Pathology, Health Sciences Center. Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil

Address correspondence to Caroline Alfaia Silva, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Catarina, 88040-900 Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.

E-mail address: carol.as.od@gmail.com



	Baltic Dental and Maxillofacial Journal

2026, Vol. 28, No. 1 CONTENTS International Scientific-Practical Conference “The Art And Science Of Orthodontics” February 6-7, 2026, Kaunas, Lithuania REVIEWS Clinical efficacy of aligners with mandibular advancement in treatment of Class II malocclusions compared to conventional functional appliances: A systematic review Deimantė Kuzminskaite, Jurga Liatukienė, Juozas Žilinskas 2-9 SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES Effect of menopausal estrogen deficiency on dentin formation: A comparative analysis of mineralization front and predentin thickness in pre and postmenopausal women Andamuthu Yamunadevi, D. B. Nandini, Mandana Donogh, Praveen S. Basandi, Manickam Selvamani, G. S. Madhushankari 10-16 REVIEWS Advances in the prevention and management of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw: A literature review Benas Ilekis, Salma Varoneckaitė, Juozas Žilinskas 17-23 CASE REPORTS The formation of epithelial orbital cysts secondary to orbital implants and reconstruction with computer-assisted manufactured patient-specific implant: A two-part case series Fiona L. Guan, Paul Hankinson, Sachin M. Salvi, Nicholas J. Lee 24-28 Diagnosis of secretory carcinoma of the upper lip: A rare case report and literature review Caroline Alfaia-Silva, Túlio Silva Rosa, Paulo Victor Mendes Penafort, Larissa Tinô de Carvalho Silva, Amanda Almeida Leite, Renata d'Andrada Tenório Almeida Silva, Catarina Rodrigues Rosa de Oliveira, Sonia Maria Soares Ferreira, Ricardo Luiz Cavalcanti Albuquerque-Júnior 29-32 © 2026 Stomatologija		Stomatologija 2026; 28 (1): 29-32 419 KB Diagnosis of secretory carcinoma of the upper lip: A rare case report and literature review Caroline Alfaia-Silva¹, Túlio Silva Rosa¹, Paulo Victor Mendes Penafort², Larissa Tinô de Carvalho Silva², Amanda Almeida Leite³, Renata d'Andrada Tenório Almeida Silva⁴, Catarina Rodrigues Rosa de Oliveira⁴, Sonia Maria Soares Ferreira⁴, Ricardo Luiz Cavalcanti Albuquerque-Júnior⁵ Summary Secretory carcinoma (SC) is a rare malignant neoplasm of the salivary glands, first recognized in 2010 due to its resemblance to secretory breast carcinoma. Although classified as a low-grade tumor with generally favorable outcomes, some cases may exhibit high-grade features, including lymph node metastasis and aggressive histological architecture. The defining characteristic of SC is the ETV6-NTRK3 gene fusion; however, diagnosis can also rely on histopathological and immunohistochemical criteria when this fusion is absent. SC typically requires complete surgical excision with negative margins, with adjuvant radiotherapy considered in selected cases. Occurrence of SC in the upper lip is extremely rare, particularly in female patients, making accurate diagnosis essential. A 50-year-old woman with a history of sinusitis, arthritis, hypercholesterolemia, and thyroid nodules presented with a slow-growing, painless nodule on the upper labial mucosa. Clinically, the lesion resembled a benign mucocele. Histopathological analysis revealed a fibrous capsule surrounding proliferating cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm and a predominantly microcystic pattern with some papillary features. Immunohistochemistry confirmed SC, with strong positivity for CK7, S100, and mammaglobin, and negativity for CK14 and p63. Complete surgical excision was performed, and no residual tumor was found. Follow-up over nine months showed no recurrence. This case highlights the importance of recognizing SC in atypical locations, such as the upper lip. Given its clinical similarity to benign conditions like mucocele, thorough histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses are crucial. Early identification and complete excision are key to achieving favorable outcomes. Key words: secretory carcinoma, salivary gland, diagnosis, immunohistochemistry, lip neoplasms. Received: 13 01 2025 Accepted for publishing: 20 03 2026 ¹Postgraduate Program in Dentistry. Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil ²Postgraduate Program in Stomatopathology at the Piracicaba School of Dentistry, State University of Campinas, SP, Brazil ³Department of Clinical and Preventive Dentistry. Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil ⁴Department of Dentistry. University Center CESMAC, Maceió, AL, Brazil ⁵Department of Pathology, Health Sciences Center. Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil Address correspondence to Caroline Alfaia Silva, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Catarina, 88040-900 Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil. E-mail address: carol.as.od@gmail.com