Cribriform adenocarcinoma of minor salivary glands (CAMSG) arising in the palate – A case report

Abstract

Cribriform adenocarcinoma of minor salivary glands (CAMSG) is a subtype of polymorphous adenocarcinoma (PAC) with a more aggressive clinical course. We report the case of a 65 year-old woman who presented with a mass lesion of the palate. The patient underwent maxillectomy and selective neck dissection, and histopathological examination revealed a low-grade polymorphous adenocarcinoma. Six years later, the patient re-presented with a new palatal abnormality, and morphological assessment of this new lesion confirmed recurrence of her previous tumour. More extensive workup with immunohistochemistry and molecular testing resulted in a modified diagnosis of cribriform adenocarcinoma of minor salivary glands. Although CAMSG and conventional PAC share many features, CAMSG is associated with a much higher risk of nodal metastasis, and distinguishing between these two variants is therefore important in informing patient treatment and prognosis.

Keywords

• Cribriform adenocarcinoma of minor salivary glands
• CAMSG
• Polymorphous adenocarcinoma
• PRKD1-3 fusions
• Oral cavity
• head&neck