Sialadenopapillary Ductal Tumor: Case Series and Review of the Literature.
Angela C Chi, Justin A Bishop, Molly Housley Smith et al.
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Case in brief
The authors describe three patients with sialadenopapillary ductal tumors, a rare neoplasm of likely minor salivary gland origin characterized by prominent submucosal ductal proliferation and multilayered cystic structures with a peripheral myoepithelial layer. Two tumors arose in the posterior mandible and were treated by marginal resection; the palatal tumor was treated by simple excision. Their literature review identified 37 previously reported cases. Across the reviewed cases and current series, treatment ranged from local procedures to resection; cervical lymph node metastasis and recurrence were reported. The authors suggest these tumors may be low-grade adenocarcinomas and support long-term surveillance, while noting that evidence remains limited.
What made this case unusual
The tumor’s distinctive combination of prominent submucosal ductal proliferation and multilayered cystic structures with a peripheral myoepithelial layer helps define a rare clinicopathologic spectrum that has been reported under several different diagnostic labels.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
Recognizing the characteristic ductal and cystic architecture can help identify sialadenopapillary ductal tumor and distinguish it from entities excluded by WHO criteria, including intraductal carcinoma, salivary duct carcinoma, and epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma.
Why it matters
The authors consider these tumors potentially low-grade adenocarcinomas, but the evidence consists of case reports and series; further study is needed to guide evidence-based treatment.