Diagnostic problems of salivary gland tumors

Abstract

Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of salivary gland is a popular technique with high sensitivity and specificity. However, the interpretation of FNAC smear of salivary gland lesions is a great challenge to the cytologists. The cytological features of the various tumors of the salivary gland have overlapping cytological features and many other lesions in the head neck region may mimic salivary lesions. Moreover, at times it may be difficult to differentiate benign from malignant tumor of the tumor with same cell of origin. In this article, we have discussed the various problems in the diagnosis of FNAC of the salivary gland lesions.

Moving toward a systematic approach for reporting salivary gland cytopathology: cytohistological correlation with the application of the Milan system for risk stratification at a tertiary care center

“…8,9 Similarly, in the current study, the sensitivity was 76.3% and the specificity was 92.6%. 8,9 Similarly, in the current study, the sensitivity was 76.3% and the specificity was 92.6%.…”

“…9 These features also explain the reason for suspicious or indeterminate diagnoses with numerous differential possibilities in salivary gland cytology, as seen in a few cases in the current study. However, the exact categorization may be difficult because of the shared cytomorphological features, varied architectural pattern, and significant cytomorphological heterogeneity within the same cell of origin.…”

“…However, the exact categorization may be difficult because of the shared cytomorphological features, varied architectural pattern, and significant cytomorphological heterogeneity within the same cell of origin. [7][8][9] It is associated with appreciable false-positive and false-negative rates that may lead to overtreatment or undertreatment. The precision of FNA for salivary gland tumor subtyping is lower and ranges from 62% to 80%.…”

Expression of SOX10 in Salivary Gland Oncocytic Neoplasms: A Review and a Comparative Analysis with Other Immunohistochemical Markers

“…1d), it can also mimic malignant lesions such as MEC and mammary analog secretory carcinoma (MASC). Due to frequent changes in clear cells in AciCC, metastatic lesions in the parotid gland, such as metastatic renal-cell carcinoma (RCC), can also pose a diagnostic challenge [3]. Other rare primary salivary gland tumors and/or skin adnexal tumors with oncocytic or clear-cell changes mimicking a primary parotid gland tumor include tumors with sebaceous differentiation [3].…”

“…Nonneoplastic salivary gland aspirates can also show oncocytosis or metaplastic oncocytes associated with inflammation, which can also mimic AciCC. In contrast to AciCC, nonneoplastic salivary gland smears usually show a mixture of acinar cells in grape-like arrangements, ducts and adipocytes [3]. …”