Rare Malignant and Benign Salivary Gland Epithelial Tumors

Raja R Seethala; E Leon Barnes

doi:10.1016/j.path.2011.07.006

Rare Malignant and Benign Salivary Gland Epithelial Tumors

Surg Pathol Clin. 2011 Dec;4(4):1217-72. doi: 10.1016/j.path.2011.07.006.

Authors

Raja R Seethala¹, E Leon Barnes²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, A614.X PUH, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
² Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, A608 PUH, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.

PMID: 26837791
DOI: 10.1016/j.path.2011.07.006

Abstract

Although at least 24 distinct histologic salivary gland carcinomas exist, many of them are rare, comprising only 1% to 2% of all salivary gland tumors. These include epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma, (hyalinizing) clear cell carcinoma, basal cell adenocarcinoma, cystadenocarcinoma, low-grade salivary duct carcinoma (low-grade cribriform cystadenocarcinoma), oncocytic carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma not otherwise specified. Few tumors (clear cell carcinoma and basal cell adenocarcinoma) have unique molecular correlates. Benign tumors, although histologically less diverse, are far more common, with pleomorphic adenoma and Warthin tumor the most common salivary gland tumors. Many benign tumors have malignant counterparts for which histologic distinction can pose diagnostic challenge.