SALIVARY DUCT CARCINOMA EX PLEOMORPHIC ADENOMA - ANALYSIS OF THE FINDINGS IN FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATION CYTOLOGY AND HISTOLOGY

Salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) is an uncommon and highly aggressive neo plasm that reveals histopathologic features resembling infiltrating du ct carcinoma of the breast and prostate. SDC arising on the basis of p reexisting pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is very rare. This report describe s the fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology of a case of SDC ex PA. FN A smears were cellular with cells with large, pleomorphic nuclei, same prominent nucleoli, and finely vacuolated cytoplasm. The neoplastic c ells were forming groups, sheets, and papillary structures and a cribr iform patter-it was present in some sheets. Mitotic figures were frequ ently seen. Necrosis was prominent in the background. Histologic secti ons of the tumor revealed areas of comedo carcinoma, papillary carcino ma, and infiltrative carcinoma as well as multiple foci of PA. The pre sence of a cribriform pattern, tumor cells resembling breast ductal ca rcinoma cells, and a necrotic background are helpful features for an a ccurate cytodiagnosis of SDC. Diagn. Cytopathol. 1998;19:201-204. (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss,Inc.