Role of Varying Degree of Inflammatory mast cell population in Salivary Gland Diseases

Abstract

Objective: To determine the association between inflammatory mast cells and various diseases of the salivary glands.
 Material and Methods: An experimental lab based descriptive study was done at the institute of pathology at diagnostic medicine, Khyber medical university, Peshawar. Non probability, convenient sampling comprising of n=71was done and tissue biopsies of salivary gland diseases were collected from April, 2022 to Sept. 2022. Gross examination, followed by tissue processing and routine Hematoxylin and Eosin staining was done. Giemsa stain was done to visualize the inflammatory mast cell population, microscopically. Mast cell count at the invasive site of the tumor within the underlying connective tissue/ lamina propria as well as intra-tumoral stromal tissue was calculated and recorded in peri- and intra-tumor stromal fields.
 Result: It was found that out of all the 71 included cases 24% were non-neoplastic and 76% were neoplastic lesions. The mean age of affected patients is around 47.5 years while the male to female ratio is 1.4:1. Mucocele was the most prevalent non neoplastic lesion while adenoid cystic carcinoma was found to be the most commonly encountered malignancy. Mast Cell count was almost the same for peri-tumoral and intra-lesional areas of benign salivary gland tumours. It was significantly high in malignant tumours such as mucoepidermoid carcinoma.
 Conclusion: Mast cell may serve as a potential cause for varying degree of inflammatory response in case of neoplastic salivary gland lesions.