Application of immunohistochemistry to the diagnosis of salivary gland tumors

A panel of antibodies composed of the cytokeratins (CKs), vimentin, and act in was applied to 114 minor salivary gland tumors to evaluate its diagnosti c value. The results revealed that luminal cells of intercalated duct-like structures, such as those seen in pleomorphic adenoma, basal cell adenoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, and epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma, expressed CKs 7, 8, 14, and 19. The outer cells of these structures exhibited viment in or vimentin plus muscle-specific actin, but rarely CK14, which is seen p articularly in pleomorphic adenoma, in the tubular type of basal cell adeno ma, and seldom in the tubular type of adenoid cystic carcinoma. Modified my oepithelial cells of pleomorphic adenoma and myoepithelioma exhibited a var iable immunoprofile. CKs 7 and 8 were also observed in acinar cell adenocar cinoma and polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma with vimentin in the latte r. CK13 was expressed only by canalicular adenoma and mucoepidermoid carcin oma cells. This study showed that the panel of antibodies employed is effec tive in distinguishing among salivary gland tumors.