The value of fine needle aspiration cytology in the clinical management of rare salivary gland tumors

Abstract Salivary gland tumors are relatively rare neoplasms, mostly located in the parotid gland, and few are malignant. Preoperative evaluation of salivary gland tumors includes fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the importance of FNAC in the evaluation of rare salivary gland neoplasms. Material and Methods Four cases of rare salivary gland tumors were included, which were preoperatively assessed by clinical investigation, computed tomography, and FNAC. Results The presented cases include myoepithelial carcinoma, oncocytic carcinoma, undifferentiated lymphoepithelial carcinoma, and marginal zone lymphoma. Conclusion FNAC is a reliable diagnostic tool for common salivary gland neoplasms; however, rare tumors often represent diagnostic challenges. Clinical relevance In such rare tumors, the role of aspiration cytology may be limited to establishing the dignity of the lesion (benign/malignant). This knowledge enables the surgeon to choose the most appropriate therapeutic procedure. A definitive diagnosis of rare tumors (either epithelial or nonepithelial) is obtained by histological examination; cytology is limited in this regard due to overlapping features.

摘要：涎腺肿瘤属于相对少见的肿瘤，多数发生于腮腺，恶性病例占比偏低。涎腺肿瘤的术前评估手段包括细针吸取细胞学检查（fine needle aspiration cytology, FNAC）。
研究目的：本研究旨在明确细针吸取细胞学检查在罕见涎腺肿瘤评估中的应用价值。
材料与方法：本研究纳入4例罕见涎腺肿瘤病例，术前均通过临床问诊、计算机断层扫描（computed tomography, CT）以及细针吸取细胞学检查完成评估。
结果：本次纳入的病例涵盖肌上皮癌、嗜酸细胞癌、未分化淋巴上皮癌及边缘区淋巴瘤。
结论：细针吸取细胞学检查对于常见涎腺肿瘤而言是可靠的诊断工具；然而罕见肿瘤往往给临床诊断带来较大挑战。
临床意义：对于此类罕见肿瘤，细针吸取细胞学检查的作用可能仅限于明确病变的良恶性。这一认知可帮助外科医师选择最为适宜的治疗方案。罕见肿瘤（上皮源性或非上皮源性）的明确诊断需依靠组织病理学检查；由于不同病变的特征存在重叠，细胞学检查在这方面存在明显局限性。