Proliferative activity of salivary gland pleomorphic adenomas and myoepitheliomas as evaluated by the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) labeling index (LI).

Thirteen examples of pleomorphic adenoma (PA) and 4 of myoepithelioma (Me, 2 plasmacytoid cell type, 2 mixed cell type) were examined with respect to their proliferative activity on the basis of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunohistochemistry. In PA, PCNA labeling index (LI) in tubular/trabecular/solid areas was significantly higher than that in myxomatous or chondroid areas. Although the mean value of LI in PA and Me was not statistically different (PA; 3.02 +/- 1.03%, Me; 3.19 +/- 1.76%), the Me of mixed cell type composed of epithelial, spindle or clear neoplastic myoepithelial cells had significantly higher LI, indicating the possibility of more rapid growth than PA. The small difference in the mean value of PCNA LI between PA and the mixed cell type of Me, however, suggests that enucleation with a margin of normal uninvolved tissue remains the recommended treatment for Me, as well as for PA.