BASALOID CARCINOMAS OF SALIVARY-GLANDS

Three cases of carcinoma of major salivary glands with basaloid morpho logy are presented. One case was a clear example of a basal cell adeno carcinoma, an uncommon and infrequently recognized, low-grade tumour o f major salivary glands. The remaining two cases showed a higher cytol ogical grade of malignancy but shared some features of basal cell aden ocarcinoma. Common features included the architectural pattern and myo epithelial cell differentiation, as demonstrated by smooth muscle-spec ific actin positivity, in cells associated with the deposition of extr acellular basal lamina-like material. The relationship between these c ases and adenoid cystic carcinoma is discussed.