Asymptomatic nodules of the upper lip: report of a canalicular adenoma with immunoprofile presentation

Canalicular adenoma: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Canalicular adenoma (CA) is an uncommon but unique benign tumor of salivary gland origin. It is the third most common benign tumor of minor salivary glands, representing less than 1% of all salivary neoplasms. A systematic review is presented of reported cases of CA, to determine trends in presentation, diagnostic features, treatment, and patient outcome.

METHODS

Searches of specific databases, as reported, were carried out to identify papers reporting CA. The variables were patient symptoms, tumor location, histopathological findings, demographics, treatment, follow-up, and recurrence.

RESULTS

430 cases were identified; the most common location was in the upper lip (66.3%), followed by hard palate (14.5%). The most common clinical presentation was a nodule (46.5%), followed by asymptomatic (29.5%), and discomfort (28.7%). CA was most frequently seen in females (64%). The average age was 66.3 years. 97% of cases were treated surgically. The average follow-up was 136.3 months, and recurrence was reported in 3% of the cases.

CONCLUSION

CA shows a strong predilection for the upper lip. CAs are frequently asymptomatic, but the principal symptom was pressure.

Canalicular adenoma: a clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis of 67 cases with a review of the literature

There is a lack of a comprehensive immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis of canalicular adenoma (CanAd), especially when combined with a description of the unique histologic features. Given the usual small biopsies, IHC may be useful in distinguishing CanAd from other tumors in the differential diagnosis. Retrospective. The patients included 54 females and 13 males (4.2:1), aged 43-90 years, with a mean age at presentation of 69.9 years. Clinical presentation was generally a mass (n = 61) slowly increasing in size (mean 38.5 months), affecting the upper lip (n = 46), buccal mucosa (n = 17) or palate (n = 4), involving the right (n = 29), left (n = 24) or midline (n = 9), without any major salivary gland tumors. The tumors ranged in size from 0.2 to 3 cm (mean 1.2 cm). Most tumors were multilobular or bosselated (76 %), often surrounded by a capsule. Histologically, the tumors were characterized by cystic spaces, tumor cords with beading, tubule formation, and by the presence of luminal squamous balls (n = 41). The cells were cuboidal to columnar with stippled chromatin. Mitoses were inconspicuous. A myxoid stroma (n = 64), sclerosis (n = 42), luminal hemorrhage (n = 51), and luminal microliths (calcifications) (n = 33) were characteristic. Nine (13.4 %) were multifocal. CanAd showed the following characteristic immunohistochemistry findings: CK-pan and S100 protein (strong, diffuse reaction); peripheral or luminal GFAP reaction; CK5/6 and p16 luminal squamous ball reaction; SOX10 nuclear reaction; cytoplasmic p63 reaction. CanAd are unique minor salivary gland tumors showing a distinct architecture and phenotype. They predilect to older women, with the majority multilobulated and affecting the upper lip, multifocal in 13 %; no major salivary gland tumors were identified. S100 protein, CK-pan, GFAP and SOX10 are positive, with luminal squamous balls highlighted by CK5/6 or p16.

Canalicular adenoma immunoprofile: a case report

OBJECTIVES

To report a case of canalicular adenoma (CA) and discuss the use of immunohistochemistry to better address the diagnosis given some unusual characteristics in this patient.

BACKGROUND

CA is an uncommon benign neoplasm that can develop in minor salivary gland duct tissues throughout the oral cavity. At histology, it shares several features with other salivary tumors. Immunohistochemistry can be useful in the differential diagnosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The clinical presentation consisted in a nodule on the left upper lip of an 85-year-old man. The patient's main complaint was upper denture instability secondary to soft tissue changes. The nodule was excised under local anesthesia and underwent histological and immunohistochemical examination to rule out any malignancy.

RESULTS

Histological findings, cytokeratin positivity and the absence of any reactivity to specific markers of myoepithelial differentiation confirmed the epithelial nature of the lesion.

CONCLUSION

The histological diagnosis of benign salivary tumors such as CA can be confirmed by immunohistochemistry.