A rare case of intraosseous polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma (PLGA) of the maxilla

Polymorphous Low-Grade Adenocarcinoma: A Proposed Reconstruction Protocol Based on Past Surgical Experience

BACKGROUND

To propose a reconstructive protocol based on surgical management experience of polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma (PLGA) and the location of the primary lesion.

METHODS

Data on the surgical management and the reconstructive technique of 14 histologically conformed patients with PLGA, all treated by the same surgeon, were analyzed and evaluated.

RESULTS

Mean follow-up period in our series was 6.2 years. Mean age at diagnosis was 55.5 years and female to male ratio was 2.2:1. The most common presenting sign was a nonpainful lump or mass in an intraoral location. Most patients were managed by wide local excision and reconstruction method varied from primary closure to the use of radial forearm graft. Recurrence appeared in one of the patients in this series, while 2 required further radiation therapy. A protocol for reconstruction of intraoral patients with PLGA is suggested based on our analysis.

CONCLUSION

Surgical management is the gold standard for PLGA treatment. Neck dissection is recommended only in patients with presurgery fine-needle aspiration confirmed lymph node involvement. The reconstruction depends mainly on location and size of the primary lesion.

Polymorphous adenocarcinoma of the salivary glands: reappraisal and update

Although relatively rare, polymorphous adenocarcinoma (PAC) is likely the second most common malignancy of the minor salivary glands (MiSG). The diagnosis is mainly based on an incisional biopsy. The optimal treatment comprises wide surgical excision, often with adjuvant radiotherapy. In general, PAC has a good prognosis. Previously, PAC was referred to as polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma (PLGA), but the new WHO classification of salivary gland tumours has also included under the PAC subheading, the so-called cribriform adenocarcinoma of minor salivary glands (CAMSG). This approach raised controversy, predominantly because of possible differences in clinical behaviour. For example, PLGA (PAC, classical variant) only rarely metastasizes, whereas CAMSG  often shows metastases to the neck lymph nodes. Given the controversy, this review reappraises the definition, epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic work-up, genetics, treatment modalities, and prognosis of PAC of the salivary glands with a particular focus on contrasting differences with CAMSG.

The frequency and distribution pattern of minor salivary gland tumors in a government dental teaching hospital, Chennai, India

OBJECTIVES

Data are not available regarding distribution of minor salivary gland tumors from the specialist pathology setting in India. The purpose of this study was to determine the relative frequency and distribution of minor salivary gland tumors and to compare the data with pertinent studies.

STUDY DESIGN

The records and archival samples of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Tamil Nadu Government Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, India, served as source material for this retrospective study. All cases with a diagnosis of minor salivary gland tumors recorded between 1971 and August 2008 were retrieved and reviewed.

RESULTS

A total of 185 minor salivary gland tumors were identified with reference to the latest World Health Organization classification, representing a relative frequency of 1.52% over the study period of 37 years (1971-2008) from 12,147 biopsy samples. Malignant tumors (75%) predominated over benign tumors (25%). The age range was 12-82 years with a mean of 46 years. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma was the most frequent tumor (34%), followed by pleomorphic adenoma (22%), adenoid cystic carcinoma (15%), and polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma (10%). The overall gender distribution was almost equal. Palate was the most frequent involved site, followed by alveolar mucosa and floor of the mouth.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study shows a higher proportion of malignant tumors and a tendency toward male predilection during the past decades. The overall data are consistent with hospital-based studies from Asia and series from other geographic regions.

Low-grade papillary adenocarcinoma of the palate: the significance of distinguishing it from polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma

Low-grade papillary adenocarcinoma (LGPA) represents a relatively rare histological variant of polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma (PLGA). There has been a debate as to whether LGPA is associated with greater aggressive potential compared to PLGA; this is further obfuscated by the fact that diagnostic criteria for LGPA have not been well-defined. We believe that this is the first report of a patient with LGPA who developed metastases to the femur and scalp. We review the published evidence for classifying LGPA as distinct from PLGA. The weight of published data does support the idea that LGPA is oncologically distinct from LGPA. However, as uniform diagnostic criteria are lacking, we suggest a cut-off value of 10% or greater papillary formation as being necessary to separate LGPA from PLGA.

Primary intraosseous (central) salivary gland neoplasms in jaw bones: report of a mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the mandible diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration cytology

A case of intraosseous (central) mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the mandible diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology, with the diagnosis confirmed by surgical resection of the tumor is presented. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is the most common histotype of malignant and benign salivary gland tumors, which occasionally arise within the facial bones of mandible and maxilla, besides their ordinary derivation from the major and minor salivary glands of the head and neck regions. This case is unusual in that although tumors of the jaws abound, only rare reports of intraosseous salivary gland-type lesions sampled by FNA exist. The current concepts exploring the intraosseous derivation of salivary gland tumors are presented and certain points on FNA technic for adequate sampling of such lesions are related.

Polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma in the lung: a case report

Although uncommon, it is well recognized that salivary gland-type tumors can occur as primary lung tumors, probably arising from minor salivary-type glands lining the bronchial tree. Polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma (PLGA) is a rare tumor that usually originates from oral minor salivary glands. There are only 2 reported cases showing metastasis to the lung; however, a primary lung tumor has not been reported so far. In this report we describe the clinical and pathological features of another case of PLGA involving the lung, but in a patient with no evidence of a previous oropharyngeal primary. While our case probably represents another example of metastatic PLGA to the lung, to our knowledge, it is the first description of a PLGA involving the lung in the absence of a history of a previous primary oral salivary gland tumor.