Mammary analogue secretory carcinoma of salivary gland origin: an update and expanded morphologic and immunohistochemical spectrum of recently described entity.

Mammary analogue secretory carcinoma of salivary gland origin (MASC) is a recently described tumor with ETV6 translocation. Akin to secretory breast cancer, MASC expresses S-100 protein, mammaglobin, vimentin, and harbors a t(12;15) (p13;q25) translocation which leads to ETV6-NTRK3 fusion product. Histologically, MASC displays a lobulated growth pattern and is often composed of microcystic, tubular, and solid structures with abundant eosinophilic homogeneous or bubbly secretions. Colloid-like secretory material stains positive for periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) with and without diastase and for Alcian blue. The cells of MASC are devoid of PAS-positive secretory zymogen granules. These features help to exclude the most important differential diagnostic considerations, namely acinic cell carcinoma, low-grade cribriform cystadenocarcinoma, cystadenocarcinoma (not otherwise specified), and low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma. To date the presence of the ETV6-NTRK3 fusion gene has not been demonstrated in any other salivary gland tumor than MASC. It is likely that MASC is more common than currently recognized and with further studies, the clinical need for molecular studies of the ETV6-NTRK3 fusion may diminish. However, molecular testing is recommended at this time to arrive at the diagnosis of MASC.