Clinicopathologic characterization of secretory carcinoma of salivary gland

Abstract

Background To investigate the clinicopathologic characteristics, therapeutic methods, and prognosis of secretory carcinoma of salivary gland (SCSG). Methods The clinicopathologic data of 13 patients with SCSG admitted to Shanxi Cancer Hospital from January 2018 to June 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, and a literature review was performed. Results A total of eight males and five females aged 22–78 years old were enrolled, and they commonly presented with painless masses in the parotid or submandibular gland. They all underwent surgical treatment, accompanied by typical pathological examinations postoperatively. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was conducted in seven cases, the results were all positive, and no gene fusion other than ETV6-NTRK3 was found. Two patients developed local relapse during follow-up, both of which were in the surgical area. By the end of the follow-up, 12 patients survived and one patient died. Conclusions SCSG is a rare low-grade malignancy with a good prognosis. Pathological and immunohistochemical characteristics are the key to secretory carcinoma (SC) diagnosis, and surgical excision is the major treatment means for SCSG. Whether to perform simultaneous cervical lymph node dissection and other adjuvant therapies should be determined based on the pathological stage and the presence or absence of high-risk factors.