An Androgen Receptor-positive Carcinoma of the Lacrimal Drainage System Resembling Salivary Duct Carcinoma: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol. 2016 Sep;24(8):e69-71. doi: 10.1097/PAI.0000000000000313.

Abstract

Carcinomas of the lacrimal drainage apparatus are rare and due to their aggressive behavior, they usually require extensive surgical treatment. We report a unique case of a 60-year-old man presenting with proptosis found to have a mass in the lacrimal drainage system on magnetic resonance imaging. Histology revealed a high-grade carcinoma with morphologic features of salivary gland duct carcinoma. Immunohistochemistry showed an extensive positive staining to androgen receptor. This is the first report of salivary gland-like duct carcinoma of the lacrimal drainage apparatus. Androgen receptor should be included in the immunohistochemical panel for the diagnostic work-up of lacrimal drainage system carcinomas, which resemble salivary gland duct carcinoma. This finding could have important diagnostic and therapeutic implications.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Lacrimal Apparatus / pathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Receptors, Androgen / metabolism*
  • Salivary Gland Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Salivary Gland Neoplasms / pathology*

Substances

  • Receptors, Androgen