Morphological spectrum of salivary gland tumors withspecial reference to mucin stains

Abstract

Salivary gland neoplasm are rare and constitute about 3% of all head and neck neoplasms. Mucins are altered in pathological states and are stained by special stains like Periodic Acid Schiff, Alcian Blue and Mucicarmine. To study the histomorphology of resected salivary gland tumors and mucin staining pattern wherever indicated. Surgically resected specimens received at our tertiary care hospital and subjected to histopathological examination. Specimens were fixed in 10% formalin, processed and embedded in paraffin blocks, serially cut to get sections of 3-5 microns thickness. Stained with hematoxylin and eosin for all. Mucin stains were used wherever applicable. Total number of cases studied were 70. Out of which 46 were benign (65.7%) and 24 were malignant (34.3%). Among benign tumours, Pleomorphic adenoma was the commonest tumour (48.57), followed by Warthin tumor (7.14%), Basal cell adenoma (4.28%), Myoepithelioma (1.43%), Oncocytoma (1.43%), Hemangioma (1.43%), Sailolipoma (1.43%). The Mucoepidermoid carcinoma was the most common malignant tumor (17.14%) followed by Adenoid cystic carcinoma (5.71%), Acinic cell carcinoma (4.28%), Polymorphous adenocarcinoma (1.43%), Epithelial myoepithelial carcinoma, Squamous cell carcinoma (1.43%), Salioblastoma (1.43%), Lymphoma (1.43%). Parotid was most common site for both benign and malignant tumor. Females are affected more commonly than males. Mucin staining pattern was noted. Salivary gland tumors have complex range of morphological spectrum. Histopathological examination is the golden standard for diagnosis and mucin stain would add as an adjunct to the diagnosis.