Acinic cell tumors of minor salivary gland origin

Acinic cell tumors of minor salivary glands are most uncommon. Search of the English language literature revealed twenty previously reported cases. Nine additional cases are newly described. Most patients presented with asymptomatic swellings, but pain and tenderness were experienced by some. Sites of involvement were variable, with the palate, tongue, and floor of the mouth being the most commonly afflicted. One new case occurred centrally within the mandible. There was no sex predominance. A spectrum of histomorphologic characteristics included solid, microcystic, papillary cystic, and follicular patterns composed of acinic, intercalated duct, vacuolated, and nonspecific glandular cells. Follow-up data on ten cases from the literature and the nine new cases revealed that one patient died of tumor, one was alive with distant metastases, and one had been successfully treated for local recurrence. The patient representing the single fatality was treated by irradiation only. Surgical excision with a border of normal tissue seems to be effective treatment. The use of "carcinoma" as an appropriate designation for this neoplasm is questioned.