Primary salivary gland malignancies: a review of clinicopathological evolution, molecular mechanisms and management

Abstract

Salivary gland cancers are a complex group of tumours with variations in location, type and grade, all of which influence their biological behaviour. The understanding of salivary gland pathology has evolved at the molecular level in the last decade leading to identification of distinct entities, development of improved methods of diagnosis as well as identifying therapeutic targets for selected high-grade tumours. This article focuses on these advances and their impact on the management of primary salivary gland cancers.

The Milan System for Reporting Salivary Gland Cytopathology—Proposed modifications to improve clinical utility

“…Salivary glands include several epithelial, stromal, and lymphoid components that can give rise to large variety of inflammatory and neoplastic conditions . In addition, the intra‐parotid lymph nodes can harbor metastases, particularly in geographical areas with high rates of cutaneous malignancies . The 2017 edition of the World Health Organization Fascicle for Head and Neck Tumors includes 11 benign and 20 malignant salivary gland neoplasms .…”

Secretory Carcinoma: A Silent Mass Increasing in the Parotid Gland

“…Immunohistochemistry and FISH studies using pathologic specimen can yield a definite diagnosis. In immunohistochemistry, SC is positive for S100, mammaglobin, and CK7 and negative for p63, CK5/6, and DOG-1 stains in the literature (Table 1) [12]. By FISH, SC shows ETV6 gene rearrangements.…”

More than meets the eye

“…Malignant tumours of the minor salivary glands in turn account for 4%–8% of SNM 1. The evolution of cellular pathology techniques mainly relating to immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridisation as part of the diagnostic work up of these patients has culminated in the evolution of their classification and the documentation of several new entities 2…”