Abstract
Purpose: :
The aim of this study was to analyze the frequency of epithelial tumors of the lacrimal gland in a referral eye pathology laboratory of Argentina, and the compliance with the WHO classification of tumors of the salivary glands using current immunohistochemical antibodies.
Methods: :
A review of all accessed specimens from the lacrimal gland between 1968 and 2009 was performed. Secondary and metastatic tumors were excluded. The strict criteria for inclusion were available glass slides for review. Of 184 collected cases, 45.6% were nonepithelial masses (inflammatory (73.8%) and lymphoproliferative tumors (26.2%)) and 54.4% were epithelial lesions (cysts (13%) and epithelial tumors (87%)). A series of immunostains were performed to confirm the diagnosis in doubtful cases as well as for prognostic risk factors and grading. Six cases were reclassified in other cell types and either benign or malignant.
Results: :
Of 84 epithelial tumors, 76 (90.5%) were primary and 8 (9.5%) were recurrences. The most frequent primary tumors were pleomorphic adenoma (PA) (42, 55.3%), adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACCA) (16, 21.1%), carcinoma ex-pleomorphic adenoma (CA-exPA) (7, 9.2%), adenocarcinoma NOS (3, 3.9%), and mucoepidermoid carcinoma (3, 3,9%). Other tumors encountered were oncocytoma, ductal carcinoma, epithelial myoepithelial carcinoma, large cell carcinoma, and cystadenocarcinoma. Of 8 recurrences, 2 were from PA, 2 were malignant transformation from a PA, 2 from ACCA, and one each from CA-exPA and epithelial myoepithelial carcinoma. Three PA had a predominant myoepithelial component, and one revealed an in situ carcinoma. There were 3 primary neoplasias with history of salivary gland tumors. Proliferative antibodies were useful in the grading of mucoepidermoid carcinomas. All PA were p53 negative and CA-exPA were p53+.
Conclusions: :
In agreement with previous publications, the results of this series from Argentina emphasize the usefulness of the WHO classification of salivary gland tumors applied to neoplasias arising from the lacrimal gland. Immunohistochemistry is a valuable tool for diagnosis and grading of lacrimal gland tumors.
Keywords: tumors • lacrimal gland • pathology: human