Secretory carcinoma of parotid and diagnostic challenge of salivary gland malignancy

Abstract

Secretory carcinoma (SC) or also known as mammary analogue secretory carcinoma (MASC) is a new distinct entity of salivary gland carcinoma that histopathologically resemble secretory carcinoma of breast. It was first documented in salivary gland in 2010 and included in World Health Organization classification in 2017. Formerly it was misdiagnosed as acinic cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma in majority of cases, but comparably it is more aggressive. Present of translocation mutation t (12;15) (p13; q25) with fusion of ETV6-NTRK3 genes is typical feature for SC that absent in other salivary gland neoplasm. Diagnostic challenges are always seen in salivary gland tumor due to the morphological diversity, rapid change in nomenclature, some subtypes are extremely rare and lack of specific laboratory test in some center. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment same as other salivary gland carcinoma but increasing evidence of alternative medical treatment with tropomyosin receptor kinase antagonist that make SC more special.