c-kit and bcl-2 Are Not Useful Markers in Differentiating Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma from Polymorphous Low-Grade Adenocarcinoma

Abstract EN

Aims.

To evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of bcl-2 and c-kit proteins in the salivary gland tumors, adenoid cystic carcinoma, and polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma with a view to tumor differentiation.

Methods.

Immunohistochemical studies were performed on 29 adenoid cystic carcinoma and 23 polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma archival cases with bcl-2 and c-kit antibodies using standard procedures, and the data were statistically analyzed.

Results.

The difference in bcl-2 expression in adenoid cystic carcinoma and polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma was not statistically significant.

Whilst the difference in c-kit expression was statistically significant (P=0.01), the difference proved small so as to be of no practical or diagnostic importance.

Moderate to strong immunostaining was noted in adenoid cystic carcinoma with c-kit, the pattern and intensity varying within different histological subtypes, being greater the more aggressive the tumor subtype.

Conclusions.

Bcl-2 and c-kit are not useful as immunohistochemical markers in differentiating adenoid cystic carcinoma from polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma.