Salivary gland tumours: update on molecular diagnostics
Karwan Moutasim, Gareth J. Thomas
Abstract
Salivary gland tumours are a rare, heterogeneous group of neoplasms that pose significant diagnostic challenges for the histopathologist. There are currently over thirty different subtypes in the 2017 World Health Organisation classification of head and neck tumours. Histopathological diagnosis relies primarily on morphological assessment, with ancillary special stains and immunohistochemistry. In recent years, new defining genomic alterations have been characterised in these tumours. This may help in refining tumour classification, as well as assisting pathologists in diagnostically challenging cases. Furthermore, these alterations may have prognostic as well as potentially therapeutic implications in the era of personalised medicine. This review will aim to provide a summary of the most recent updates in this field.