Background/Aim: The primary role of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of salivary gland masses is to determine the underlying process and guide further management. The objective of our study is to provide a comprehensive review of cytologic features and ancillary studies of mammary analog secretory carcinoma (MASC), discuss differential diagnosis and review recent advances in the understanding of its biologic behavior. Case: A 23-year-old female underwent ultrasound-guided FNA of a slowly enlarging parotid mass. Smears displayed branching clusters of bland vacuolated polygonal cells in a secretory proteinaceous background. Eosinophilic cells with eccentric nuclei and inconspicuous nucleoli were also noted. Based on positive intracellular mucin staining and the lack of extracellular-matrix material, the cytologic diagnosis rendered was ‘suspicious for low grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma'. Superficial parotidectomy revealed an MASC confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) studies for ETV6 translocation. Conclusion: MASC should be included in the differential diagnosis of mucinous salivary lesions with cystic changes on FNA. Immunohistochemistry for mammaglobin and S-100 helps in excluding morphologic mimics. FISH helps to confirm the diagnosis. Age alone should not be a deterrent in diagnosing a carcinoma.

Keywords:
Mammary analog secretory carcinoma, Salivary gland, Fine-needle aspiration, ETV6-NTRK3
© 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
2014
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