Pathologic grading of mucoepidermoid carcinomas of the salivary gland and its effect on clinicopathologic follow-up: an institutional experience.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is the most common malignant salivary gland tumor. Differences inprognosis can be noted owing to the tumor grade determined using multiple grading schemes (2-tier: low- and high-grade vs. 3-tier: low-, intermediate-, and high-grade). We studied clinicopathologic features of MEC using a 3-tier grading system and retrospectively categorized cytologic diagnoses as per the Milan System for Reporting Salivary Gland Cytopathology (MSRSGC).A total of 69 cases of MEC were identified, and most were seen in the parotid gland. Aggressive clinical behavior was seen in high-grade MEC compared with intermediate- and low-grade MEC. By fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis, MAML2 rearrangements were seen in 78% of cases.The MSRSGC subcategorized the majority (63.8%) of MEC as salivary gland neoplasm of uncertain malignant potential, suspicious for malignancy, or malignant. Clustering intermediate- with low-grade cases did not significantly impact the clinical behavior. Both high-grade and oncocytic MEC can be MAML2 FISH negative.
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