Salivary gland neoplasms with basaloid cell features: Report of two cases diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration cytology

Basal-cell adenoma and basal-cell adenocarcinoma of the salivary gland are rare tumors. Fine-needle aspiration cytology of these tumors, particularly those of basal-cell adenocarcinoma has rarely been described in the literat ure. In this report, ne describe the clinical, cytomorphologic, histopathol ogic, and immnnohistochemical features of basal-cell adenoma and its malign ant counterpart. basal-cell adenocarcinoma, in 2 patients. Fine-needle aspi ration specimens front both tumors contained abundant cohesive groups of ne oplastic cells. Basaloid cells were prominent in both tumors: however; ther e were significant cytologic atypia, hyperchromasia, and increased nuclear- to-cytoplasmic ratio in basal-cell adenocarcinoma. Review of the literature and cytomorphologic distinction between both tumors and others are discuss ed. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.