Clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical features of primary ductal adenocarcinoma of lacrimal gland: five new cases and review of literature.

BACKGROUND

A primary ductal adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal gland is a rare epithelial malignant tumor, and its clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features have not been well determined. The purpose of this study was to determine the clinicopathological characteristics of lacrimal duct carcinomas and to determine their long-term prognosis.

METHODS

We performed immunohistochemical studies of biological and proliferative markers of primary ductal adenocarcinomas of the lacrimal gland in five patients, and followed their long term prognosis. We also reviewed nine published cases of primary ductal adenocarcinomas of the lacrimal gland.

RESULTS

All specimens were positive for the androgen receptor, and three of five specimens overexpressed the HER-2/neu protein. Nuclear immunostaining for p53 ranged from 10% to 95% and that of Ki-67 from 20% to 70% in the tumor cells. Four of five patients had distant metastases and three patients died from the disease during the 5-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that primary ductal adenocarcinomas of the lacrimal gland express androgen receptors and a wide range of proliferative markers. Their long-term prognosis is poor.