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Updated: Nov 19, 2025
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Next Generation Sequencing for the Detection of Actionable Mutations in Solid and Liquid Tumors
Published on: September 20, 2016
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Polymorphous Adenocarcinoma.
1Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA.
Surgical Pathology Clinics
|February 2, 2021
Summary
Polymorphous adenocarcinoma (PAC) is a salivary gland cancer with good prognosis, but specific patterns indicate a worse outcome. Cribriform adenocarcinoma of salivary gland (CASG) is debated, but shares features with PAC.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pathology
- Genetics
Background:
- Polymorphous adenocarcinoma (PAC) originates in minor salivary glands, displaying uniform cytology and diverse architecture.
- PAC frequently exhibits the PRKD1 E710D mutation and generally has an excellent prognosis.
- Specific histologic patterns, such as ≥10% papillary or ≥30% cribriform, are linked to adverse prognostic outcomes in PAC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clarify the relationship between Polymorphous Adenocarcinoma (PAC) and Cribriform Adenocarcinoma of Salivary Gland (CASG).
- To investigate the distinct clinicopathologic and molecular features of PAC and CASG.
- To evaluate the prognostic implications of specific architectural patterns within PAC.
Main Methods:
- Histopathological analysis of salivary gland tumors.
- Review of current classification schemes for salivary gland neoplasms.
- Analysis of PRKD1 mutations and PRKD1/2/3 fusions in tumor samples.
Main Results:
- Polymorphous adenocarcinoma (PAC) is characterized by architectural diversity and commonly harbors PRKD1 E710D mutations.
- Cribriform adenocarcinoma of salivary gland (CASG) shows a predilection for the tongue base, with a solid/cribriform architecture and frequent PRKD1/2/3 fusions.
- While CASG is often considered part of the PAC spectrum, some evidence suggests it may be a distinct entity.
Conclusions:
- Polymorphous adenocarcinoma (PAC) generally has an excellent prognosis, though certain patterns indicate a poorer outcome.
- Cribriform adenocarcinoma of salivary gland (CASG) shares features with PAC but may represent a separate entity due to its distinct location, architecture, and genetic alterations.
- Further research is needed to definitively classify CASG and its relationship to PAC.
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