Signet ring carcinoma parotid gland: A case report

✍ Scribed by Meeta Singh; Nita Khurana; Rachna Wadhwa; Achal Gulati

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2010
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 314 KB
• Volume: 33
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1043-3074
• DOI: 10.1002/hed.21435

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Background

Signet ring adenocarcinoma is a recently characterized entity occurring in the minor salivary glands. All reported cases have occurred in minor salivary gland. Pure signet ring adenocarcinoma of a major salivary gland has not been reported in the literature.

Methods

A 38‐year‐old woman presented with a mass in the parotid region. Microscopy showed signet ring cells positive for mucicarmine. Immunohistochemistry showed cytokeratin and focal smooth muscle actin (SMA) positivity; an exhaustive search for primary elsewhere did not reveal any suspicious focus.

Results

A diagnosis of low‐grade signet ring adenocarcinoma of the parotid gland was made. On 6‐month follow‐up the patient was alive and well.

Conclusions

The present case highlights a rare occurrence of this tumor in the parotid gland, which until now was labeled as a tumor exclusive to minor salivary glands. Thus this entity should be kept as a differential while investigating mucinous tumors of parotid. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2011