Mucosal Melanomas of the Head and Neck Histopathology Reporting Guide. 2nd edition.

Head & Neck, Staging
Williams MD, Fitzpatrick S, Franchi A, Kakkar A, Patel S, Yamazaki N, Helliwell T, Thompson LDR
International Collaboration on Cancer Reporting; Sydney, Australia. ISBN: 978-1-922324-48-1.
The dataset has been developed for the reporting of resection and biopsy specimens of mucosal melanoma arising in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, oral cavity, nasopharynx, oropharynx, larynx and hypopharynx. All other malignancies are dealt with in separate ICCR datasets, specifically cutaneous melanoma is separately reported.
Direct extension of a cutaneous primary into a mucosal site should be excluded and would not be reported in this dataset. Metastatic melanoma to a head and neck mucosal site is also excluded. If there are overlapping sites, clinical centring of the tumour should determine the dataset to be completed. If a primary tumour extends to involve the contralateral side, the tumour is still considered a unifocal tumour, but involving multiple, contiguous sites. It should be noted that for limited biopsies the pathologist may not be able to complete all of the elements in the ICCR dataset.
Neck lymph node dissections and excisions are dealt with in a separate dataset, and this dataset should be used in conjunction, where applicable.
This dataset is intended for use for primary cancer resections. For resections of recurrent disease, the reporting guide may be used pragmatically although some data elements may be not applicable nor assessable.
PubMed ID: n/a
Article Size: <1 MB

Nodal Excisions and Neck Dissection Specimens for Head and Neck Tumours Histopathology Reporting Guide. 2nd edition.

Head & Neck, Staging
Bullock M, Carlson DL, Fonseca I, Katabi N, Taylor SM, Thavaraj S, Williams MD, Helliwell T, Thompson LDR.
International Collaboration on Cancer Reporting; Sydney, Australia. ISBN: 978-1-922324-49-8.
The dataset has been developed for the reporting of lymph node resections from patients with primary carcinomas and mucosal melanomas of the head and neck. This excludes nodal resections for lymphoma and sarcomas. It is not intended for use in reporting lymph node core biopsy or fine needle aspirations. Carcinomas covered by the dataset include sinonasal tract, nasopharnx, oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx and trachea, salivary glands (major and minor), and ear and temporal bone. Neuroendocrine tumours (grade 1, 2 and 3) and neuroendocrine carcinomas are also included in this dataset, along with musical melanoma and cutaneous carcinomas (except Merkel cell carcinoma). For resections of recurrent disease, the reporting guide may be used pragmatically although some data elements may be not applicable nor assessable. This dataset is to be used in conjunction with other ICCR datasets in the Head and Neck Series. Lymph node excisional biopsies or neck dissections may precede, accompany, or follow the biopsy or resection of a primary tumour. Concurrent reporting of the lymph node and primary tumour dataset elements – ideally in the same report – is preferable, as it provides clinicians with the most comprehensive information for tumour stage categorisation.
PubMed ID: n/a
Article Size: 1 MB

Meaningful Value Added by Standardized, Internationally Validated, and Evidence-Based Pathology Data Sets for Cancer Reporting of Head and Neck Sites Coordinated by the International Collaboration on Cancer Reporting.

Head & Neck, Staging
Thompson LDR.
Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2019 Apr;143(4):422-423. doi: 10.5858/arpa.2018-0489-ED.
This is an introduction to the Special Section–Structured Reporting Data Sets for Head and Neck Tumors From the International Collaboration on Cancer Reporting, Part I
PubMed ID: 30920861
Article Size: <1 MB

Ghost Cell Odontogenic Carcinoma: Case Series and Literature Review.

Head & Neck, Oral Cavity/Gnathic (Jaw)
Parks D, Zhou NJ, Vazquez DA, Fisher M, Budhathoki S, Chen J, Iganej S, Bhattasali O, Thompson LDR.
Head Neck Pathol. 2025 Dec 2;19(1):133. doi: 10.1007/s12105-025-01861-4.
Ghost cell odontogenic carcinoma (GCOC) is rare. These tumors can arise from odontogenic precursors or de novo, displaying a spectrum of clinical behaviors with potential for rapid local recurrence, distant metastasis, and death from disease. Considering limited data, we present two cases of GCOC in female patients and perform a comprehensive review of the literature related to GCOC with a focus on adjuvant therapies. The first case, a de novo occurrence, had an aggressive course, while the second, arising from an ameloblastoma, was more indolent. A review of 65 previously published cases revealed that 82% of GCOCs occurred in males. Recurrence rates were higher in cases arising from precursor lesions (64%) compared with de novo lesions (26%). Of the 59 patients who had documented follow-up, 37% had an isolated local recurrence, 3% had an isolated distant metastasis, and 5% had both a local recurrence and distant metastasis. Overall, GCOC is a rare but aggressive odontogenic carcinoma requiring a multidisciplinary approach. Radical surgical excision with clear margins remains the primary treatment. Adjuvant therapies, such as radiotherapy, are indicated for aggressive features like rapid growth, positive margins, and local recurrence. While both local and distant recurrences are a risk, local recurrence is the most common mode of treatment failure. Further research into prognostic markers such as CTNNB1, p53, and Ki-67 may lead to more personalized therapies and improved outcomes. Additional research should also focus on intensifying adjuvant therapies to improve outcomes.
PubMed ID: 41329303
Article Size: 2.6 MB

Data Sets for the Reporting of Head and Neck Tumors (2nd Edition)

Head & Neck, Staging
Thompson LDR, Bishop JA, Bullock M, Chernock RD, Faquin WC, Müller S, Odell EW, Williams MD, Zidar N, Webster F.
Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2025 Nov 28. doi: 10.5858/arpa.2025-0335-OA. Online ahead of print.
CONTEXT: The International Collaboration on Cancer Reporting is a not-for-profit organization whose goal is to develop evidence-based, internationally agreed standardized data sets for each anatomic site to be used throughout the world.
OBJECTIVE: To update the changes in the 2nd edition of the data set suite, including carcinomas of the hypopharynx, larynx and trachea, major salivary glands, nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, oropharynx and nasopharynx, and oral cavity, and ear and temporal bone tumors, malignant odontogenic tumors, mucosal melanomas of the head and neck, and nodal excisions and neck dissection specimens.
DESIGN: International consensus by expert data set authoring committees, especially authors of the World Health Organization head and neck tumor classification.
RESULTS: The unique features have been updated based on current research and developments in histologic classification and standardized reporting guidelines. Separation between core and noncore elements is based on data meaningful to prognosis and stratification. The changes are in conjunction with publication of the 5th edition of the World Health Organization head and neck tumor classification.
CONCLUSIONS: Increased harmonization of reporting and benchmarking improves patient outcomes and international collaborative research.
PubMed ID: 41321292
Article Size: 1.9 MB

Targeted molecular profiling uncovers true ceruminous adenomas with HMGA2::WIF1 and ceruminous syringocystadenoma papilliferum with BRAF V600E.

Ear & Temporal Bone, Head & Neck
Rooper LM, Thompson LDR, Sangoi AR, Oliver D, Gagan J, Bishop JA.
Virchows Arch. 2025 Nov 20. doi: 10.1007/s00428-025-04256-6. Online ahead of print.
Ceruminous adenomas are benign neoplasms that arise from ceruminous glands in the external auditory canal. While these tumors are currently regarded as a single entity, they are divided into three histologically diverse subtypes: ceruminous syringocystadenoma papilliferum, ceruminous pleomorphic adenoma, and ceruminous adenoma not otherwise specified (NOS). Given the similarities of two of these subtypes to other tumors that occur at multiple anatomic sites, it is currently unclear whether ceruminous adenomas are truly a unified group. In this study, we performed targeted molecular profiling of 11 cases of ceruminous adenoma to clarify their classification. We identified BRAF V600E mutations (via PCR and/or immunohistochemistry) in five ceruminous syringocystadenomas papilliferum. We also identified HMGA2::WIF1 fusions (via RNA sequencing) in five ceruminous adenomas NOS and one ceruminous pleomorphic adenoma. Tumors with HMGA2::WIF1 fusion did not display the canalicular adenoma-like morphology seen in salivary gland pleomorphic adenomas with this fusion. Overall, these findings suggest that the three subtypes of ceruminous adenoma represent two biologically distinct groups. Recurrent BRAF V600E mutations in ceruminous syringocystadenoma papilliferum are parallel to those in cutaneous syringocystadenoma papilliferum. Histologic and molecular concordance suggests that ceruminous syringocystadenoma papilliferum should be part of the broader syringocystadenoma papilliferum category rather than a subtype of ceruminous adenoma. Conversely, HMGA2::WIF1 fusions in ceruminous adenoma NOS and ceruminous pleomorphic adenoma suggest that a stromal component may not be an essential point of distinction between these groups. These residual true ceruminous adenomas all likely represent a specialized form of mixed tumor unique to the external ear.
PubMed ID: 41266927
Article Size: 3.44 MB