Acinic cell carcinoma with high-grade transformation: a report of 9 cases with immunohistochemical study and analysis of TP53 and HER-2/neu genes.

High-grade transformation of acinic cell carcinoma (AciCC) (previously referred to as dedifferentiation) is a rare phenomenon characterized by histologic progression of low-grade AciCC to high-grade adenocarcinoma or undifferentiated carcinoma. We report 9 new cases with immunohistochemical analysis and examination of HER-2/neu and p53 genes to further define the profile of this tumor. Histologically, the high-grade component was composed of polymorphic cells with a high mitotic rate arranged in glandular and solid growth patterns with comedonecrosis.

(18)F-FDG-PET/CT of orofacial tumors, a value of whole-body imaging approach.

Aim: Staging of head and neck tumors is one of the most difficult tasks in imaging techniques, due to the very complicated head and neck anatomy and serious problems with the differentiation of reactive enlarged lymph nodes and lymph nodes involved with metastases. The aim of the study was to evaluate the validity of the whole-body approach in the assessment of head and neck malignancies using (18)F-FDG-PET/CT.

Materials And Methods: The analysis of a group of 1750 consecutive whole-body procedures in all indications of (18)F-FDG-PET/CT was made according to: the presence of orofacial tumors; their histology; findings concerning the spread outside head and neck region; and findings concerning the primary staging or restaging.