A perspective of comparative salivary and breast pathology. Part I: microstructural aspects, adaptations and cellular events

Abstract

This is the first part of a review comparing the pathology of salivary and mammary glands. Here, less obvious similarities and differences in functional histology and their influences on pathology are examined with emphasis on myoepithelial cells, stromal components, analogues of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue, steroid receptors, and intraparenchymal cells of monocytic lineage. Particular cell phenotypes (oncocytic, apocrine, neuroendocrine and clear) are critically evaluated and responses to atrophy, infarction and fine-needle aspiration biopsy procedures are highlighted together with aspects of metaplasia, regeneration, ageing and microcalcification. Areas of controversy or uncertainty which may benefit from further investigations are also discussed.

Salivary acinic cell carcinoma: reappraisal and update

“…Although proliferative capacity lies with all types of salivary glandular cells [72], the origin of AcCC has been traditionally sought among purported, 'semipluripotential reserve' or 'stem' cells located at the acinar-intercalated ductal region of salivary glands; proliferation and abnormal cytodifferentiation of those cells would result in AcCC [7,23,136,137]. Chaudhry et al [82] attributed 'pluripotential reserve/stem' qualities to simple tumor cells with a high nuclear:cytoplasmic ratio and few organelles.…”

“…Apocrine and mucous phenotypes ( Fig. 8), mitoses, microliths [72], and iron uptake/storage ( Fig. 9) are occasionally seen in AcCC.…”

Double reporting and second opinion in head and neck pathology

“…Additional examples include the misinterpretation of the juxtaoral organ of Chievitz and subgemmal neurogenous plaques or other features associated with lingual foliate papillae/tonsil [3,22]. Focal obstructive adenitis, a common feature in aging salivary glands, can be confused with intercalary duct lesions [23,24]; the squamous metaplastic ''feeder'' salivary duct in a mucous extravasation cyst (mucocele) can be misinterpreted; and transepithelial elimination of sequestrae, not unusual in osteomyelitis, oral oncology patients with osteoradionecrosis and patients on bisphosphonates, can cause consternation when seen by general pathologists. Also relatively straight forward are referrals regarding characteristic odontogenic lesions by general pathologists who are inexperienced with odontoma, ameloblastic fibroodontoma, dentigerous cyst and/or keratocystic odontogenic tumor, especially if they are inflamed or only partially sampled [15].…”

The expression of the cancer testis antigen MAGE A4: A favorable prognostic biomarker in salivary gland carcinomas related to low tumor grading

“…9 Since salivary gland carcinomas and breast cancer show histopathological similarities and CTAs have been shown to have prognostic relevance with regard to the latter, we hypothesized the existence of a relationship between the expression of CTA and the prognosis in salivary gland carcinomas. 10 Therefore, aim of this study was to investigate the expression of various CTAs in different salivary gland carcinomas. The latter could improve a future, patient-tailored treatment according to the predicted patterns of aggressiveness.…”