Multimodal imaging features of nuclear protein in testis carcinoma of the submandibular gland: a case report.
Yanan Shi, Da Shi, Dan Luo et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
Case in brief
A 32-year-old man presented with a painless left submandibular mass that enlarged from 2 cm to approximately 4 cm within 1 month, with new ipsilateral pharyngeal and periauricular pain. CT, MRI, and PET/CT showed an ill-defined invasive mass with heterogeneous enhancement and intense metabolic activity (SUVmax 18.4). Histopathology and immunohistochemistry confirmed NUT carcinoma, with diffuse nuclear positivity for NUT protein. He underwent radical resection with left neck dissection, followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Follow-up imaging at 9 months showed no local recurrence or metastatic disease.
What made this case unusual
The tumor arose primarily in the submandibular gland, where its nonspecific imaging appearance can resemble more common salivary gland tumors. Rapid growth, invasive features, and marked hypermetabolism were clues, but diagnosis required tissue confirmation.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
In a rapidly enlarging, invasive submandibular mass, consider NUT carcinoma and confirm with biopsy and NUT immunohistochemistry; imaging alone is not diagnostic.