Pathology Notes

Practice question answers Salivary gland pathology Updated: 02/13/2021 © Jun Wang, MD, PhD 1. A. Unilateral painful salivary gland enlargement with neutrophilic infiltration is most consistent with acute sialadenitis , usually bacterial infection. Mucinous carcinoma, regardless of location, has clusters of atypical malignant cells floating in mucin pools . Mucoepidermoid carcinoma has mixed mucinous, intermediate, clear and squamous cells with cytological atypia. Sjogren syndrome has dry mouth, dry eyes, and microscopically it has fibrosis, acinar atrophy and lymphocytic infiltrate. Squamous cell carcinoma has irregular growth, invasion, cytological atypia, squamous pearls and intercellular bridges. 2. B. Salivary gland mass with diffuse fibrosis, acinar atrophy and lymphocytic infiltrate, without involvement of other organs is most compatible with IgG4 related dacryoadenitis and sialadenitis . Acute sialadenitis usually has unilateral painful salivary gland enlarge

Practice questions Salivary gland pathology Updated: 02/21/2019 © Jun Wang, MD, PhD 1. A 67-year-old man presents with pain and swelling of left neck for 2 days. He does not have fever. He was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of lung 3 years ago. Other past medical history including diabetes and hypertension. He has a 45 pack year history of cigarette smoking, and drinks wines 2 glasses a day for 30 years. Physical examination reveals a 4 cm mobile firm lesion at his left submandibular area. Sonographic examination reveals an enlarged submandibular glands. Biopsy reveals mixed serous and mucinous glands with neutrophilic infiltrate and focal abscess formation. No cytological atypia is noted. What is the diagnosis? A. Acute sialadenitis B. Mucinous carcinoma C. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma D. Sjogren syndrome E. Squamous cell carcinoma 2. Use this case for the next two questions . A 64-year-old man presents with a slowly growing firm mass at his right upper ne

Salivary gland neoplasms   Updated: 02/13/2021 © Jun Wang, MD, PhD General features >90% arise in parotid gland, 5% in submandibular gland Deep parotid tumors may present as intraoral masses Minor salivary gland tumors usually in hard palate (site with most glandular tissue) Indicators for poor prognosis: Postoperative recurrence, submandibular gland site, facial nerve paralysis, high grade tumor Commonly seen salivary gland tumors Benign Pleomorphic adenoma Warthin tumor Oncocytoma Others: Monomorphic adenoma, etc Malignant Mucoepidermal carcinoma Adenocarcinoma Acinic cell carcinoma Adenoid cystic carcinoma Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma Others Management Surgery Radiation therapy Chemotherapy Back to salivary glands pathology Back to contents