Salivary gland tumors are relatively rare neoplasms, mostly located in the parotid gland, and few are malignant. Preoperative evaluation of salivary gland tumors includes fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC).
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to determine the importance of FNAC in the evaluation of rare salivary gland neoplasms.
Material and methods:
Four cases of rare salivary gland tumors were included, which were preoperatively assessed by clinical investigation, computed tomography, and FNAC.
Results:
The presented cases include myoepithelial carcinoma, oncocytic carcinoma, undifferentiated lymphoepithelial carcinoma, and marginal zone lymphoma.
Conclusion:
FNAC is a reliable diagnostic tool for common salivary gland neoplasms; however, rare tumors often represent diagnostic challenges. Clinical relevance In such rare tumors, the role of aspiration cytology may be limited to establishing the dignity of the lesion (benign/malignant). This knowledge enables the surgeon to choose the most appropriate therapeutic procedure. A definitive diagnosis of rare tumors (either epithelial or nonepithelial) is obtained by histological examination; cytology is limited in this regard due to overlapping features.