Head and neck pathology最新文献

{"title":"Lymphoplasmacytic Lymphoma Involving Marrow-Containing Submandibular Heterotopic Ossification: A Case Report and Literature Review.","authors":"Lado Lako Loro, Frank-Jakob Sandbakk, Camilla Jøsok Nybø, Eivind Ottersen Samstad","doi":"10.1007/s12105-026-01976-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12105-026-01976-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Heterotopic ossification is characterized by the formation of mature bone within soft tissues and is most commonly associated with trauma, surgery, or chronic inflammation. The development of hematologic malignancies within heterotopic bone is exceedingly uncommon. We present a unique case of submandibular heterotopic ossification containing lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma and provide a review of calcified soft-tissue lesions encountered in the head and neck region.</p><p><strong>Case presentation: </strong>A 77-year-old man presented with a calcified nodule in the left submandibular region. Radiologic imaging demonstrated a well-circumscribed focus of soft-tissue ossification with no continuity to the mandible. The lesion was initially interpreted as a calcified lymph node, and watchful waiting was recommended. However, given the patient's reports of gradual enlargement and increasing discomfort during cervical rotation, surgical excision was performed. Histopathological examination revealed mature lamellar bone and marrow infiltrated by an atypical lymphoplasmacytic B-cell population. Immunohistochemical and PCR analysis demonstrated findings supportive of lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma, including IgM kappa light-chain restriction. Subsequent hematologic evaluation showed a serum IgM paraprotein and sparse bone marrow involvement.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>To our knowledge, this represents the first documented case of lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma involving marrow-containing submandibular heterotopic ossification. As the lesion was the sole clinical manifestation of an otherwise occult lymphoproliferative disorder, this case underscores the importance of histopathological and molecular evaluation of excised calcified head and neck lesions, even when clinical and radiologic findings suggest a benign process.</p>","PeriodicalId":520636,"journal":{"name":"Head and neck pathology","volume":"20 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13675436/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149208453","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"SOX10 Expression in Primary Salivary Gland Tumors: A Meta-Analysis.","authors":"Otto Tahvanainen, Henri Lagerstam, David Kalfert, Ivana Kholová","doi":"10.1007/s12105-026-01975-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12105-026-01975-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Primary salivary gland tumors form a heterogeneous group with diagnostic challenges. Sex-determining region Y-related homeobox 10 (SOX10) is a transcription factor studied in primary salivary gland tumors for over a decade. To date, no systematic review or meta-analysis has been conducted on its expression in salivary gland tumors.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A PubMed literature search identified all studies in which SOX10 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in primary salivary gland tumors. Information on SOX10 positivity, staining pattern, percentage of positive cells, and information on the antibody source and clone were tabulated in Microsoft Excel. The meta-analysis was performed with OpenMeta Analyst. The meta-analysis adheres to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The meta-analysis included 35 studies with 1146 histological and 35 cytological samples immunostained with SOX10. The list of SOX10-positive tumors according to our meta-analysis includes pleomorphic adenoma (pooled meta-analytic estimate of SOX10 positivity 95.8%, 95% CI 91.7-99.9%), polymorphous adenocarcinoma (pooled estimate 97.4%, 95% CI 92.3-102.6%), canalicular adenoma (pooled estimate 98.9%, 95% CI 96.4-101.4%), basal cell adenoma (pooled estimate 91.3%, 95% CI 80.2-102.5%), adenoid cystic carcinoma (pooled estimate 96.6%, 95% CI 94.1-99.2%), myoepithelioma (pooled estimate 75.2%, 95% CI 52.0-98.4%), acinic cell carcinoma (pooled estimate 97.4%, 95% CI 94.1-100.6%), intercalated duct type of intraductal carcinoma (pooled estimate 90.8%, 95% CI 75.9-105.8%), and microsecretory carcinoma (pooled estimate 96.1%, 95% CI 87.2-105.0%). Limited evidence suggests that basal cell adenocarcinoma, epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma, and myoepithelial carcinoma are also SOX10 positive. SOX10-negative entities include Warthin's tumor (pooled estimate 2.3%, 95% CI 0-7.0%), apocrine type of intraductal carcinoma (pooled estimate 10.3%, 95% CI - 10.4-31.1%), salivary duct carcinoma (pooled estimate 3.7%, 95% CI - 0.6-8.1%), and oncocytoma (pooled estimate 8.0%, 95% CI - 2.7-18.7%). Polyclonal antibodies and clones EP268, N-20, and A-2 provided similar results. Clone BC34 stained a lower percentage of SOX10-positive tumors.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This meta-analysis lists SOX10-positive and -negative tumors. This demonstrates the necessity of subtype-specific reporting and stating the antibody clone used in immunohistochemical studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":520636,"journal":{"name":"Head and neck pathology","volume":"20 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13675452/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149208450","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Amelanotic Sinonasal Mucosal Melanoma Mimicking a Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor: A Radio-Histological Discordance.","authors":"Francisco Díaz-Rodríguez, Rosa María Ríos-Pelegrina","doi":"10.1007/s12105-026-01974-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12105-026-01974-4","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":520636,"journal":{"name":"Head and neck pathology","volume":"20 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-10-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13658720/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149168501","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pediatric and Adult Sinonasal Phosphaturic Mesenchymal Tumors: CDKN2A Copy Number Alterations and Their Association with Recurrence.","authors":"Kavneet Kaur, Shreya Ojha, Kirti Srivastava, Hitesh Verma, Rajeev Kumar, Rakesh Kumar, Alok Thakar, Shipra Agarwal, Aanchal Kakkar, Ashu Seith Bhalla, Deepali Jain","doi":"10.1007/s12105-026-01970-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12105-026-01970-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Phosphaturic mesenchymal tumors (PMTs) are exceptionally rare neoplasms that secrete fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), leading to tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO). Owing to their nonspecific clinical manifestations and deceptively bland morphology, diagnosis is frequently delayed unless there is a high index of clinical suspicion or recognition of characteristic histopathological features. While PMTs predominantly arise in the appendicular skeleton, involvement of the sinonasal tract is uncommon, and pediatric sinonasal PMTs have not been reported previously. Although most PMTs follow a benign course, a subset demonstrates local recurrence, and predictors of recurrence remain poorly defined.</p><p><strong>Methods and materials: </strong>All cases of sinonasal PMTs diagnosed at our institution over a 10-year period were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical, radiological, histopathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular findings were analyzed. Immunohistochemistry was performed for SATB2, ERG, SMA, CD56, desmin, SSTR2, SSTR5, FGFR1, and Ki-67. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed using FGFR1 dual-color break-apart and CDKN2A/CEP9 dual-color locus-specific probes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Seven sinonasal PMTs were identified, including two pediatric cases (both 10-year-old females) and five adult cases (age range: 32-68 years; overall range: 10-68 years). Patients presented with non-specific symptoms, most commonly related to tumor-induced osteomalacia, while a minority presented with local sinonasal complaints. Histologically, all tumors were unencapsulated and composed of ovoid cells embedded within a characteristic pale eosinophilic stroma with prominent, often dilated vasculature. Adipose tissue was present in 6/7 (85.7%) cases, osteoclast-like giant cells and hemosiderin-laden macrophages in 4/7 (57.1%) each, whereas grungy calcification, osteoid-like matrix, and aneurysmal bone cyst-like areas were infrequent. Tumors showed diffuse expression of SATB2, ERG, SMA, CD56, and SSTR2, while FGFR1 immunohistochemistry lacked specificity. FGFR1 gene rearrangement was identified by FISH in two cases. Notably, both pediatric tumors demonstrated CDKN2A homozygous deletion and developed local recurrence, whereas none of the adult tumors showed CDKN2A loss or recurred.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Sinonasal PMTs are rare neoplasms that pose significant diagnostic challenges because of their rarity and morphological overlap with other mesenchymal tumors. Recognition of their characteristic histological features, supported by an appropriate immunohistochemical panel and FGFR1 FISH, facilitates accurate diagnosis. This study represents the first report of pediatric sinonasal PMTs and identifies CDKN2A homozygous deletion as a potential marker of recurrent behavior, warranting further investigation in larger cohorts.</p>","PeriodicalId":520636,"journal":{"name":"Head and neck pathology","volume":"20 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13642869/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149122786","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integrating Histological and Molecular Findings for Practical Salivary Gland Diagnostics.","authors":"Jinesa Moodley","doi":"10.1007/s12105-026-01973-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12105-026-01973-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The purpose of this review paper is to provide an integrative algorithmic approach to the diagnosis of salivary gland tumors, including pertinent histologic features, immunohistochemical patterns and molecular driver mutations and/or fusions.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Review of the literature was performed to provide an up-to-date synopsis of salivary gland tumors, in a concise and summarized format.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Diagnostic workflow algorithms are created and included to complement the histomorphologic subgroups, to provide a user-friendly tool when approaching salivary gland tumors in routine surgical pathology.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Histomorphologic features and immunophenotype of majority of salivary gland tumors, including select molecular surrogate immunohistochemical stains, are the most important starting point in diagnostic interpretation. Molecular data can provide an additional data point for further supporting evidence and/or to aid in challenging cases.</p>","PeriodicalId":520636,"journal":{"name":"Head and neck pathology","volume":"20 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13642885/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149122772","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Claudin 18 Immunohistochemistry Expression in Salivary Gland Neoplasms: Limited Potential as a Therapeutic Biomarker.","authors":"Nicole Fye, Sanica Bhele","doi":"10.1007/s12105-026-01972-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12105-026-01972-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Claudin 18 (CLDN18) is a protein that functions to maintain the integrity of tight junctions in epithelial cells. Recent development of anti-Claudin 18.2 targeted therapies have yielded positive survival outcomes for patients with Claudin 18 expression in gastric carcinomas. This study aims to investigate whether expression of Claudin 18 is present in a variety of benign and malignant salivary gland neoplasms.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Forty-eight cases of salivary gland neoplasms of various subtypes were included for this pilot study. Ancillary data including tumor location, grade, and stage of tumor as applicable was collected. Claudin 18 immunohistochemistry was performed on a representative tumor block of each case.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>No aberrant Claudin 18 expression was seen in the benign as well as malignant salivary gland neoplasms in this pilot study.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>CLDN18 expression was uniformly absent across the tumor types, locations, grades, and stages represented in this cohort. The absence of expression in all cases indicates that Claudin 18 has limited potential as a therapeutic marker in patients with salivary gland neoplasms. This study contributes to the extremely limited literature regarding Claudin 18 expression within salivary gland neoplasms.</p>","PeriodicalId":520636,"journal":{"name":"Head and neck pathology","volume":"20 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13612797/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149043072","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Immunohistochemical Predictors in Head and Neck Mucosal Melanoma.","authors":"Sara C Degerholm, Tuula A Salo, Susanna Juteau, Matti O Mauramo","doi":"10.1007/s12105-026-01969-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12105-026-01969-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Mucosal melanoma is a rare disease with a poor prognosis, and its clinical signs and symptoms are nonspecific. This study aims to identify histopathological features and immunohistochemical markers of head and neck mucosal melanoma that characterize the tumor immunophenotype and are associated with patient survival.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study analysed head and neck mucosal melanoma diagnosed at Helsinki University hospital between January 1, 2011, and June 8, 2023. Samples were obtained from the Helsinki Biobank in Finland. New slides were prepared and stained for hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), CD3, CD4, CD8, Granzyme B (GrzB), CD68, CD117, p16INK4a, p53, SOX10 and PRAME.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study included 23 patients, 10 men and 13 women, aged 60-92 years (mean 75 years). The tumors were predominantly sinonasal. Ulceration was present in 15 cases, also 15 cases were amelanotic. Immunohistochemical staining SOX10 was positive in all tumors. PRAME was strongly positive in majority (20 cases, 87%). Strong p16 positivity was observed in 13 cases (57%), with a longer median survival compared to cases with weakened p16 expression (32.8 vs 13.8 months, p = 0.176). The median survival was also longer in the cases with high score of tumor infiltrating CD3-, CD8- and CD68-positive immune cells, though not statistically significant.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Immunohistochemical markers routinely applied in cutaneous melanoma (SOX-10 and PRAME) are also expressed in head and neck mucosal melanoma. Tumour-infiltrating immune cells showed trend toward better survival, as has been previously found out in cutaneous melanoma. Strong p16 positivity may be an independent predictor of favorable prognosis in head and neck mucosal melanoma, irrespective of disease stage. Larger multicenter studies are warranted to validate these findings in this rare disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":520636,"journal":{"name":"Head and neck pathology","volume":"20 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13597977/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149027480","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Low-Grade Salivary Myoepithelial Carcinoma of the Upper Lip Harboring a Novel CARMN/miR143HG::PLAG1 Fusion.","authors":"Prokopios P Argyris, Melissa Y Tjota, Mark W Lingen, Nicole A Cipriani","doi":"10.1007/s12105-026-01967-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12105-026-01967-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Myoepithelial carcinoma (MECA) represents a rare malignant neoplasm accounting for less than 2% of all salivary tumors, with recurrent PLAG1 rearrangements comprising its predominant underlying molecular aberration.</p><p><strong>Case presentation: </strong>A 48-year-old man presented with a 6-month history of a slow-growing, asymptomatic, pink-yellowish, submucosal nodule of the left upper lip measuring approximately 1.2 cm. An excisional biopsy was performed. Histologic examination revealed an infiltrative salivary neoplasm exhibiting a multilobulated growth pattern comprising numerous solid islands, nests, and anastomosing cords of lesional cells. A cribriform-like architecture was focally noted in association with pools of extracellular, amphiphilic, mucinous material. Neoplastic cells demonstrated predominantly epithelioid-to-plasmacytoid and in areas spindled cytomorphology, bland round-to-ovoid nuclei with granular chromatin, occasionally visible nucleoli, and abundant, eosinophilic, often vacuolated cytoplasm. Prominent nuclear pleomorphism and tumor necrosis were not present, while mitotic figures were infrequent (2 per 10 HPFs). Invasion of the adjacent adipose tissue was observed at the periphery of the lesion. The supporting stroma varied from fibrous-to-myxoid and featured mild acute and chronic inflammation. By immunohistochemistry, neoplastic cells were diffusely positive for CK7, SOX10, S100, and calponin, while p40 showed scattered/patchy immunoreactivity. They were negative for mammaglobin. The histomorphologic and immunophenotypic findings supported the diagnosis of low-grade MECA. RNA-based NGS revealed a CARMN/miR143HG::PLAG1 fusion, leading to a chimeric transcript between exons 1-2 of the long non-coding RNA host gene CARMN/miR143HG (chr5q32) and exons 3-5 of PLAG1 (chr8q12.1).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>We report on the clinical, histopathologic and immunophenotypic characteristics of a low-grade MECA of the minor salivary glands with a novel CARMN/miR143HG::PLAG1 fusion, expanding the molecular landscape of salivary myoepithelial neoplasia.</p>","PeriodicalId":520636,"journal":{"name":"Head and neck pathology","volume":"20 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13598044/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149027491","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An Accessible Approach to Molecular and Biomarker Testing for Risk Stratification in Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma.","authors":"Michelle Afkhami, N Haghighi, H Ma, A Reyes, F Fei, T Dyer, M Telatar, J Arias-Romero, Y Haghighi, A Mehrazma, E Massarelli, R Bakkar, P Tizro, D Bell, V M Villaflor","doi":"10.1007/s12105-026-01968-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12105-026-01968-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) is a common epithelial malignancy for which site-specific biomarkers with proven prognostic utility remain limited. In this study, we present one of the largest single-center, site-specific molecular analyses of OCSCC to date. Using two separate versions of multigene next-generation sequencing (NGS), we sought to identify a focused set of clinically actionable and widely accessible biomarkers that could support diagnosis, prognostication, and therapeutic decision-making. Our findings highlight the potential of a limited molecular panel to capture key prognostic information, supporting a more accessible and scalable approach to precision oncology in OCSCC.</p><p><strong>Patients and methods: </strong>Seventy-three adult patients (ages 19-85 years) with site-specific OCSCC treated at City of Hope between 2019 and 2023 were included. Tissue specimens were collected at initial diagnosis or recurrence and analyzed using NGS panels for both DNA and RNA. Sequencing identified single nucleotide variants, copy number alterations, and gene fusions. Associations between genomic alterations and overall survival (OS) were assessed using Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests with significance set at p < 0.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>TP53 and TERT-promoter oncogenic variants were the most frequent alterations, co-occurring in 64.4% of cases regardless of disease stage (primary vs. recurrence). Pathogenic variants in CDKN2A, HRAS, PIK3CA, BRCA1, and CASP8 were enriched among patients who developed recurrence. In this group, copy number amplification of CCND1, FGF3, FGF4, FGF19, RPS6KA4, RPS6KB2, and MYC, along with copy number loss of CDKN2A and CDKN2B, were observed. Lower PD-L1 expression, absence of TERT-promoter mutations (PMs), and focal amplification of 11q13 were associated with poor overall survival in univariate analysis (all p < 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Multigene NGS profiling revealed recurrent genomic alterations and prognostic biomarkers in OCSCC. Based on these findings, we propose an initial biomarker panel comprising TP53 and PD-L1 (22C3 clone) immunostains, along with TP53 and TERT PM analysis. Collectively, these assays capture key prognostic biomarkers associated with adverse outcomes, including low PD-L1 expression (CPS < 20) and the absence of TERT PMs in relation to overall survival. In addition, copy-number assessment of 11q13, MYC (8q), and CDKN2A (9p) may warrant further investigation for future clinical application.</p>","PeriodicalId":520636,"journal":{"name":"Head and neck pathology","volume":"20 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13589004/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149003252","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Melanotic Oncocytic Metaplasia of the Nasopharynx: A Benign Mimic of Mucosal Melanoma.","authors":"Woon Yee Chew, Jerome Zhiyi Ong, Manish Mahadeorao Bundele","doi":"10.1007/s12105-026-01966-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12105-026-01966-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A 61-year-old man was found to have incidental multifocal, pigmented nasopharyngeal lesions during the evaluation of an unrelated thyroid nodule. The progressive appearance of multiple hyperpigmented macules on the torus tubarius raised concern for mucosal melanoma, an aggressive malignancy. Histopathologic examination ultimately established the diagnosis of melanotic oncocytic metaplasia, a benign lesion of the nasopharynx. Recognition of this entity is important because it may clinically and endoscopically mimic melanoma, yet it follows a benign course and requires only conservative management.</p>","PeriodicalId":520636,"journal":{"name":"Head and neck pathology","volume":"20 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13569748/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148946512","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}