Molecular Characterization of Salivary Gland Carcinomas

• The recently updated WHO classification of head and neck tumors has listed more than 20 (sub-)types of salivary gland cancers. Although there was consensus of the Board that diagnosis on histological criteria alone may be inaccurate, the editors finally reasoned that the necessary set up for molecular analyses is not globally available, as yet, or the data are either not convincing or robust enough to supplement the histological and immunohistochemical diagnostic tools. Nevertheless, the increasing knowledge about tumor-type specific translocations, point mutations, and amplifications in salivary gland cancers needs more explanatory comments than the new WHO fascicle could afford, particularly taking into account the already established molecular support of diagnostic, and predictive pathology in specialized clinical centers. In the German Salivary Gland Expert Network (www.hansepathnet.de), we advocate the application of molecular analyses for clinicopathological purposes in mucoepidermoid, adenoid cystic, and secretory carcinomas, while more translational research is necessary before molecular tools can be applied in other neoplasias covered in this chapter, in routine clinical practice.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Cancer och onkologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Cancer and Oncology (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

kap (subject category)