Diagnostic Features of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Pleomorphic Adenoma, Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma, and Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma of Salivary Gland

타액선 종양 중 다형성 선종, 선양 낭포성암, 및 점막 표피암의 세침흡인 세포학적 감별

To evaluate the diagnostic findings of salivary gland tumors, we reexamined aspiration cytology smears of 7 cases of pleomorphic adenoma, 3 cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma, and 3 cases of mucoepidermoid carcinoma, performed during April 1986 to March 1990, which were comfirmed by surgical excision and histologic diagnosis. The results obtained are summarized as follows : 1. All cases of pleomorphic adenoma showed branching cellular clusters of epithelial and myoepithelial cells. Acellular elements including myxomatous and chondroid components were observed. There were no cellular pleomorphism and nucleoli. Keratinizing squamous epithelial cells and keratin pearls were noted. 2. The smears of adenoid cystic carcinoma showed cell bails or cell cords containing a central hyaline core. Nuclear atypism and the nucleoli were frequently observed. There were no keratinizing squamous epithelial cells. 3. The smears of mucoepidermoid carcinoma showed mainly sheets or clusters of intermediate cells and some mucin-producing cells. Some nuclear pleomorphism was observed. Mucinous material and many inflammatory cells were present in the background.