Adenoid cystic carcinoma of minor salivary glands: a 10-year single-center retrospective study

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathologic features of adenoid cystic carcinoma of minor salivary glands (ACC-MSG) from a single Brazilian Oral Pathology Laboratory. Study Design Clinical data and conventionally stained slides of all cases diagnosed as ACC-MSG between 2012 and 2021 were retrieved from the Laboratory files and microscopically reviewed. Results There were 23 cases of ACC-MSG in the last 10 years (2.3 cases/year) affecting 16 women (69.6%) and 7 men (30.4%) (mean age of 53 years). The palate was the most affected site (10 cases, 43.5%), followed by the floor of mouth (5 cases, 21.7%), buccal mucosa (3 cases, 13%), and tongue (3 cases, 13%). The main clinical presentation was of a nodule (16 cases; 69.6%), 4 of which displaying an ulcerated surface. Four cases appeared as ulcers (17.4%). Pain was reported in 12 cases (52.2%). Microscopically, 12 cases (52.2%) showed both cribriform and tubular patterns, while focal solid areas were observed in 14 cases (60.9%). Ten cases (43.5%) exhibited perineural invasion, and a single case showed necrosis. Conclusion The clinicopathologic profile of ACC-MSG in this Brazilian population is similar to previous studies. Approximately half of the cases exhibited pain and perineural invasion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathologic features of adenoid cystic carcinoma of minor salivary glands (ACC-MSG) from a single Brazilian Oral Pathology Laboratory. Clinical data and conventionally stained slides of all cases diagnosed as ACC-MSG between 2012 and 2021 were retrieved from the Laboratory files and microscopically reviewed. There were 23 cases of ACC-MSG in the last 10 years (2.3 cases/year) affecting 16 women (69.6%) and 7 men (30.4%) (mean age of 53 years). The palate was the most affected site (10 cases, 43.5%), followed by the floor of mouth (5 cases, 21.7%), buccal mucosa (3 cases, 13%), and tongue (3 cases, 13%). The main clinical presentation was of a nodule (16 cases; 69.6%), 4 of which displaying an ulcerated surface. Four cases appeared as ulcers (17.4%). Pain was reported in 12 cases (52.2%). Microscopically, 12 cases (52.2%) showed both cribriform and tubular patterns, while focal solid areas were observed in 14 cases (60.9%). Ten cases (43.5%) exhibited perineural invasion, and a single case showed necrosis. The clinicopathologic profile of ACC-MSG in this Brazilian population is similar to previous studies. Approximately half of the cases exhibited pain and perineural invasion.