Abstract

Sclerosing polycystic adenosis is a rare pathological lesion that affects salivary glands. The majority of cases involve the parotid and its occurrence in minor glands is exceedingly rare. Here, we report the first case of this lesion in the retromolar pad area and discuss its histological features and immunohistochemical reactivity with αSMA and Ki67 markers. A review of the literature on its immunohistochemical profile is also provided. Sclerosing polycystic adenosis has a diverse histomorphology and should be differentiated from other more important pathologic lesions.

1. Introduction

To the best of our knowledge, 54 cases of sclerosing polycystic adenosis (SPA) of salivary glands have been reported. SPA characteristically arises in the major glands, and the majority of cases involve the parotid [1]. Some cases have also been reported in minor salivary glands of mucobuccal fold, hard palate, floor of mouth, and buccal mucosa [2, 3]. SPA has been reported in a wide age range from childhood to the eighth decade of life [1]. Here, we report the first case of SPA in the retromolar pad area.

2. Case Report

A 60-year-old male presented with swelling in his retromolar pad area with two months’ duration. There was no tenderness or ulceration. Excisional biopsy of the lesion was performed and a well-circumscribed soft tissue lesion was excised. Histopathologic examination showed lobules of hyalinized connective tissue with epithelial components of ductal and acinar differentiation. Ductal structures formed variably sized cysts or they were packed as small ducts similar to the sclerosing adenosis of the breast. Ducts were lined by flattened to cuboidal epithelial cells and some cells had apocrine metaplasia. Mucous cells were frequently seen (Figures 1, 2, and 3). Periductal fibrosis with lamellar architecture was a common feature. Occasional hyaline globules were also present. Epithelial hyperplasia of ductal structures, formed solid nests, cribriform structures and intraductal anastomosing bridges. Few chronic inflammatory cells were infiltrated throughout the lesion.


Figure 1 
Large cystic spaces and cribriform structures were present throughout the lesion (×100).

Figure 2 
Apocrine metaplasia was evident throughout the lesion (×400).

Figure 3 
Mucous cells were frequently seen (×400).

Immunohistochemical staining for αSMA and Ki-67 was performed. Myoepithelial cells, surrounding ductal elements, demonstrated immunoreactivity for αSMA (Figure 4). Immunohistochemical examination with Ki-67 revealed less than 1% positivity in lesional cells (Figure 5). The proliferative cells were present within ductal elements of cribriform structures, which explained transluminal duct hyperplasia.


Figure 4 
Immunohistochemical examination with αSMA confirmed the presence of a peripheral myoepithelial layer around all ductal structures (×400).

Figure 5 
Less than 1% of lesional cells were immunoreactive for Ki-67 antibody (×400).

3. Discussion

There is a controversy whether SPA is a neoplasm or reactive lesion. Clonal nature of cells has been demonstrated in some cases [4]. Some viruses such as human papilloma virus (HPV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) may also have a role in pathogenesis of salivary gland diseases. One recent study has demonstrated EBV expression in tumor cells supporting the neoplastic nature of SPA and a possible association with Epstein-Barr virus. Interestingly, no immunoreactivity has been observed for HPV [5].

Reports of cytological atypia or dysplasia within some SPA have added to controversies about the nature of this lesion. Atypia may be found within the ductal epithelial cells ranging from mild to severe dysplasia and carcinoma in situ. However, the lobular architecture is always maintained and invasive carcinoma has not been identified in SPA cases [6].

SPA has diverse histological features. This lesion has a strong resemblance to the fibrocystic disease of breast [2]. Sclerosis and marked adenosis of ductal elements were evident in this case, but adenosis of acini was lacking. Sebaceous, squamous, foamy, and vacuolated cells as well as acinar cells with cytoplasmic zymogen granules have been described in this lesion [2]. However, our case was devoid of these features. Gnepp et al. have also reported two cases with lipomatous stroma [7].

Some authors have investigated immunohistochemical staining profile of cells in SPA. A review of previous studies is presented in Table 1. However, more investigations are required to establish the immunohistochemical profile of this lesion.

Table 1 
A review of immunohistochemical investigations in SPA cases.

SPA is treated with conservative surgical excision with tumor-free margins and recurrence is rarely encountered [8].

Conflict of Interests

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.