Diagnosis
- Basophilic, bland cells similar to acinar cells
- Growth patterns: solid, microcytic, papillary-cystic, follicular
- Resembles serous acinar cells
- Rare subtype of exocrine pancreatic cancer
- Arises most frequently in the parotid gland
Prognosis
- Five-year survival rates approaching 90% for acinic cell carcinoma of the parotid gland
- 20-year survival exceeding 50% for acinic cell carcinoma of the parotid gland
- High-grade transformation leads to significantly worse survival
- Prognosis of acinic cell carcinoma in the lung is guarded but better than other types of lung cancer
Treatment
- Surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment
- Post-operative radiation therapy is not needed if the tumor is completely removed
- Post-operative radiation therapy is used in certain cases
- Neutron beam radiation and conventional radiation are options
- Chemotherapy may be used
Epidemiology
- Acinic cell carcinoma appears in all age groups
- Median age of presentation is approximately 52 years
- Common occurrence in children
- Risk factors include external and internal radioactive exposure
- Risk factors also include iodine and cesium radionuclides
Acinic cell carcinoma of the lung
- Very rare variant of lung cancer
- Classified among salivary gland-like carcinoma of the lung
- Less than 1% of malignancies in the lower respiratory tract are acinic cell carcinomas
Acinic cell carcinoma is a malignant tumor representing 2% of all salivary tumors. 90% of the time found in the parotid gland, 10% intraorally on buccal mucosa or palate. The disease presents as a slow growing mass, associated with pain or tenderness in 50% of the cases. Often appears pseudoencapsulated.
| Acinic cell carcinoma | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Micrograph of an acinic cell carcinoma (right of image) and acinar glands (parotid gland - left of image). H&E stain. | |
| Specialty | ENT surgery |
