Solitary fibrous tumour of the submandibular gland: Novel insights from clinical practice on a close mimicker of pleomorphic adenoma and a diagnostic challenge for the cytopathologist

• Published in: Cytopathology (Oxford) Vol. 32; no. 2; pp. 261 - 265
• Main Authors: Gonzalez, Maria F., Husain, Batool H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.03.2021
• Subjects: Adenoma; Adenoma, Pleomorphic - diagnosis; Adenoma, Pleomorphic - pathology; Aged; aspiration; Biopsy, Fine-Needle - methods; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Lesions; Male; Mimicry; pleomorphic adenoma; Salivary gland; Salivary Gland Neoplasms - diagnosis; Salivary Gland Neoplasms - pathology; Salivary Glands - pathology; Solitary Fibrous Tumors - diagnosis; Solitary Fibrous Tumors - pathology; solitary fibrous tumour; spindle; Submandibular gland; Submandibular Gland - pathology; Submandibular Gland Neoplasms - diagnosis; Submandibular Gland Neoplasms - pathology; Tumors; pleomorphic adenoma; solitary fibrous tumour; submandibular gland; spindle; aspiration
• ISSN: 0956-5507; 1365-2303
• DOI: 10.1111/cyt.12932

Spindle cell lesions of the salivary glands are rare and account for less than 3% of the salivary gland aspirates. A definitive classification of salivary gland neoplasms by fine needle aspiration is possible for the most common lesions but remains a challenge for the less common entities. We present a case of a 72‐year‐old male with a solitary fibrous tumour (SFT) of the submandibular gland mimicking a myoepithelial‐rich pleomorphic adenoma (PA). In this article, we discuss novel insights that help differentiate SFT from PA and other spindle cell lesions. Spindle cell lesions of the salivary glands are rare and account for less than 3% of the salivary gland aspirates. A definitive classification of salivary gland neoplasms by FNA is possible for the most common lesions but remains a challenge for the less common entities. In this article, we discuss novel insights that help differentiate SFT from PA and other spindle cell lesions.