Integrating Histological and Molecular Findings for Practical Salivary Gland Diagnostics.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this review paper is to provide an integrative algorithmic approach to the diagnosis of salivary gland tumors, including pertinent histologic features, immunohistochemical patterns and molecular driver mutations and/or fusions.

METHODS

Review of the literature was performed to provide an up-to-date synopsis of salivary gland tumors, in a concise and summarized format.

RESULTS

Diagnostic workflow algorithms are created and included to complement the histomorphologic subgroups, to provide a user-friendly tool when approaching salivary gland tumors in routine surgical pathology.

CONCLUSION

Histomorphologic features and immunophenotype of majority of salivary gland tumors, including select molecular surrogate immunohistochemical stains, are the most important starting point in diagnostic interpretation. Molecular data can provide an additional data point for further supporting evidence and/or to aid in challenging cases.