title: Acinic cell carcinoma presenting as an upper lip mass.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acinic cell carcinoma (ACC) is a rare tumor generally involving the parotid gland and infrequently the minor salivary glands.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Clinical and histopathological characteristics of a case of ACC of the minor salivary glands, and brief review of the literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  Routine stains with H&E, PAS, iron, and mucicarmine; immunohistochemistry with cytokeratin, CEA, S-100, and leu-M1.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The ACC was removed by wide local excision. Histopathology revealed papillary cystic, solid, and ductal architectural features. The mucinous material within the lumina of the cystic and ductal structures was PAS and mucicarmine positive, and diastase resistant. All tested immunohistochemical reagents reacted with the epithelial cells. There were no mitoses, necrosis, cellular pleomorphism, or infiltration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ACC is a rare tumor of salivary glands characterized by an indolent clinical course with the potential for both local recurrence and metastatic spread when tracked for decades. Published mortality rates vary from 6 to 50%. Histopathologic features do not reliably predict biologic behavior.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Service, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC 20307-5001, USA.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Kenner
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Benson
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sinha
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Willard
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Harrington
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sau
mesh_terms: D018267:Carcinoma, Acinar Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008046:Lip / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D012470:Salivary Glands, Minor