Aspiration and imprint cytopathology of salivary duct carcinoma

BACKGROUND. Salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) is a highly malignant primary epithelial neoplasm of the salivary glands. The histology of this lesion resembles that of cribriform and comedo-type intraductal carcinoma of the breast, yet the cytopathology of salivary duct carcinoma has been described in only a few instances in the past. METHODS. The authors report two cases of SDC diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration biopsy and one case imprinted after resection. The cytologic features that may permit diagnosis of this entity are described. RESULTS. Cytologic features include variably cellular smears containing loose clusters of cribriform and glandlike aggregates; monomorphic polygonal cells with round-to-oval nuclei; abundant, finely granular cytoplasm; indistinct nucleoli; and variable necrosis. CONCLUSIONS. The cytologic findings for SDC are relatively unique and may allow for its specific diagnosis on aspiration cytopathology.