Comparative immunoprofile of polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma and canalicular adenoma

Immunohistochemistry is an important tool when dealing with salivary gland neoplasms. Canalicular adenoma and polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma may share some histologic characteristics that can cause difficulties in their separation. In the present study, cases of polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma and canalicular adenoma were submitted to a panel of antibodies to evaluate the differences in their immunoprofiles. The results obtained showed that, while vimentin is only expressed by polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma, CK7 and CK8 are present in both neoplasms. Therefore, vimentin is the best marker to differentiate between these tumors.