Lacrimal gland adenoid cystic carcinoma with high-grade transformation to myoepithelial carcinoma: report of a case and review of literature

Head Neck Pathol. 2013 Mar;7(1):85-92. doi: 10.1007/s12105-012-0383-2. Epub 2012 Jul 25.

Abstract

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (AdCC) is the most frequent malignant neoplasm of the lacrimal glands. Like its salivary gland counterpart, lacrimal AdCC can rarely undergo high-grade transformation ("dedifferentiation"). We herein report the clinical, radiographic and microscopic findings of a lacrimal gland AdCC with high grade transformation, occurring in a 39-year-old female patient. In contrast to salivary gland AdCC with high-grade transformation, which usually shows a high grade component with "ductal" differentiation, in the case presented, the "dedifferentiated" component showed morphologic and immunohistochemical features of myoepithelial differentiation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / pathology*
  • Cell Transdifferentiation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Lacrimal Apparatus / pathology*
  • Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / metabolism
  • Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / pathology*
  • Myoepithelioma / metabolism
  • Myoepithelioma / pathology*
  • Neoplasm Grading

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor