Immunohistochemical Expression of CD-117 (c-KIT), P-53 and Ki-67 in Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of Palate.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a malignant tumor of salivary glands characterized histopathologically by biphasic epithelial tumor comprised of myoepithelial and ductal cells. There is a paucity of the literature regarding the immunohistochemical labelling of ACC arising in minor salivary glands. This paper reports an additional case of palatal ACC with an emphasis on its immunohistochemical staining using three different markers. Immunohistochemistry allows a better differentiation of ACC with its closest imitators, like polymorphous low grade adenocarcinoma (PLGA), considering that the latter is lesser aggressive and demands a lesser aggressive treatment approach.