Update on lacrimal gland neoplasms: Molecular pathology of interest

Lacrimal gland neoplasms are rare and much of our knowledge of the behavior and molecular pathogenesis of these tumors comes from study of the similar, but more numerous salivary gland neoplasms. After briefly discussing the classification of lacrimal gland neoplasms, I review three areas of emerging knowledge in the pathogenesis of these neoplasms: (1) the concept of adenoid cystic carcinoma with high-grade transformation and the associated cytogenetic changes; (2) recent analysis of the MYB-NFIB gene fusion in adenoid cystic carcinoma, and; (3) overexpression of HER2 in malignant salivary and lacrimal neoplasms.