DermNet provides Google Translate, a free machine translation service. Note that this may not provide an exact translation in all languages

Translate

Adenoid cystic carcinoma pathology

Author: A/Prof Patrick Emanuel, Dermatopathologist, Auckland, New Zealand, 2014.


toc-icon
Table of contents
arrow-right-small

Introduction

Adenoid cystic carcinoma typically arises within salivary glands. Primary cutaneous adenoid cystic carcinomaand adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast are rare but well recognized.

Histology of adenoid cystic carcinoma

In primary cutaneous adenoid cystic carcinoma, the tumour involves the dermis and may invade the subcutis (figure 1). The tumour is composed of basaloid cells arranged in a ductal or cribriform pattern. Characteristically there are eosinophilic hyaline membranes lining the pseudolumina within the tumour (figure 2, arrows).

Adenoid cystic carcinoma pathology

Special studies of adenoid cystic carcinoma

Adenoid cystic carcinoma is typically a morphologic diagnosis. The basement membrane material may be highlighted with PAS stain.

Differential diagnosis of adenoid cystic carcinoma

Cylindroma — These tumours exhibit a typical “jigsaw puzzle” architecture rather than the irregular cribriform and tubular architecture of adenoid cystic carcinoma.

Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma – Can mimic adenoid cystic carcinoma. p63 immunohistochemistry can be helpful if this is a diagnostic consideration. Diffuse p63 positivity is more commonly seen with SCC.

 

References

  • Ramer N, Emanuel P, Burstein DE. Prognostic value of p63 immunostaining in adenoid cystic carcinoma of salivary gland assessed by computerized image analysis. Cancer. 2010 Jan 1;116(1):77–83. PubMed
  • Emanuel P, Wang B, Wu M, Burstein DE. p63 Immunohistochemistry in the distinction of adenoid cystic carcinoma from basaloid squamous cell carcinoma. Mod Pathol. 2005 May; 18(5):645–50. PubMed

On DermNet

Books about skin diseases

 

Related information

Sign up to the newsletter