A review: Immunological markers for malignant salivary gland tumors

Salivary gland cancers are rare. Around 8 out of 10 salivary gland tumors (80%) are in the parotid. Just fewer than 2 out of 10 salivary gland cancers develop in the other two salivary glands - the submandibular or sublingual glands. Fewer than 1 in 10 cancers start in the minor salivary glands. There are many different types of salivary gland cancers. The most common is mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC). Just over 3 out of 10 (25-35%) salivary gland cancers (SGT, SGC) are of this type. The others include adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC), acinic cell carcinoma, carcinoma ex-pleomorphic adenoma (Ca-PA), polymorphous low grade adenocarcinoma (PLGA) and some newly discovered salivary gland tumors. Because of the infrequency of salivary gland tumors and their complex histopathological diagnosis, it is difficult to exactly predict their clinical course by means of its recurrence, malignant progression or metastasis. Salivary gland tumors always pose problems in diagnosis. This review provides an insight into the recent concepts and immunohistochemical markers to diagnose the malignant salivary gland tumors (SGT), thus guiding the Ear, Nose and Throat specialists, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, General Pathologists and other medical and dental specialists thereby enabling them to make correct diagnosis and provide the appropriate treatment.