Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 23, 2026

Identifying, Diagnosing, and Grading Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors in Genetically Engineered Mouse Models
08:57

Identifying, Diagnosing, and Grading Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors in Genetically Engineered Mouse Models

Published on: May 17, 2024

Pigmented pleomorphic adenoma, a novel melanin-pigmented benign salivary gland tumor

Yasunori Takeda1, Masanobu Satoh, Shin-ichi Nakamura

  • 1Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, Iwate Medical University, Uchimaru 19-1, 020-8505 Morioka, Iwate, Japan. ytakeda@iwate-med.ac.jp

Virchows Archiv : an International Journal of Pathology
|July 3, 2004
PubMed

Insights

This study details a rare pigmented pleomorphic adenoma in a Japanese male, featuring melanocytes within the salivary gland tumor. This finding is significant as pigmented salivary gland tumors are exceptionally uncommon.

Area of Science:

  • Pathology
  • Oncology
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common salivary gland neoplasm.
  • Salivary gland tumors with pigmentation are exceedingly rare in medical literature.
  • Previous reports of pigmented parenchymal salivary gland tumors include only mucoepidermoid carcinoma.

Observation:

  • A 33-year-old Japanese male presented with a pleomorphic adenoma exhibiting gross, visible pigmentation, macroscopically resembling a melanotic lesion.
  • Histopathological examination revealed benign pleomorphic adenoma features with melanocytes containing melanin pigment within the epithelial component.
  • Melanin pigment deposition was observed in ductal tumor cells and condensed secretory substances within tubular lumina.

Findings:

  • The pleomorphic adenoma contained a significant population of melanocytes, leading to macroscopic melanotic appearance.
  • Pigmentation was present in various tumor components, including epithelial cells, ductal cells, and secretory products.
  • This case represents a unique instance of a pigmented pleomorphic adenoma, distinct from previously reported pigmented salivary gland tumors.

Implications:

  • This case expands the spectrum of salivary gland tumor presentations.
  • The presence of melanocytes in pleomorphic adenoma warrants further investigation into their histogenesis and role.
  • Understanding such rare presentations is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management of salivary gland neoplasms.

Related Concept Videos

Skin Cancer01:30

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when there is an abnormal growth of skin cells, usually triggered by damage to the DNA within the skin cells. It is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, and its incidence continues to rise.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...
Pigmentation01:19

Pigmentation

The color of the skin is influenced by a number of pigments, including melanin, carotene, and hemoglobin. Recall that melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes, which are found scattered throughout the stratum basale of the epidermis. The melanin is transferred to the keratinocytes via melanosomes.
Melanin occurs in two primary forms: eumelanin that provides black and brown pigment and pheomelanin that provides red color. Dark-skinned individuals produce more melanin than those with pale...
The Pineal Gland01:02

The Pineal Gland

The pineal gland, a diminutive endocrine structure named for its pinecone-shaped appearance, is situated atop the third ventricle within the diencephalon region of the forebrain. This gland, composed of secretory cells known as pinealocytes arranged in compact cords and clusters around dense particles of calcium salts, plays a pivotal role in hormonal regulation.
The primary secretion of the pineal gland is the hormone melatonin, derived from serotonin. The concentration of melatonin in the...
Pleiotropy01:33

Pleiotropy

Pleiotropy is the phenomenon in which a single gene impacts multiple, seemingly unrelated phenotypic traits. For example, defects in the SOX10 gene cause Waardenburg Syndrome Type 4, or WS4, which can cause defects in pigmentation, hearing impairments, and an absence of intestinal contractions necessary for elimination. This diversity of phenotypes results from the expression pattern of SOX10 in early embryonic and fetal development. SOX10 is found in neural crest cells that form melanocytes,...