Estrogen receptor overexpression in malignant minor salivary gland tumors of the sinonasal tract.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the expression of estrogen receptors in malignant minor salivary gland tumors of the sinonasal tract.


METHODS
Case series with chart review.


METHODS
A retrospective review of a pathology database identified 17 patients with malignant salivary gland tumors between December 1987 and January 2006. Clinicopathologic data were collected, and immunohistochemical staining for estrogen receptor alpha and beta was performed.


RESULTS
Among these malignant tumors, adenoid cystic carcinoma was the predominant histologic type. In addition to epistaxis and nasal obstruction, the headache, facial, or ocular symptoms were also commonly noted in this cohort. Seventy-five percent of cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma were positive for estrogen receptor alpha. In contrast, only 17 percent of cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma were positive for estrogen receptor beta.


CONCLUSIONS
Malignant minor salivary gland tumors of the sinonasal tract are rare disease entities. In the present series, adenoid cystic carcinoma was the most common form of tumor, but the prognosis was poor. Most of the cases were positive for expression of estrogen receptor alpha, which suggests that hormone therapy may have a role in the management of certain minor salivary gland tumors of the paranasal sinus and nasal cavity.
Luo
Sheng-Dean
SD
Department of Otolaryngology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical Center, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Su
Chih-Ying
CY
Chuang
Hui-Ching
HC
Huang
Chao-Cheng
CC
Chen
Ching-Mei
CM
Chien
Chih-Yen
CY
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010255:Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D016019:Survival Analysis
D011960:Receptors, Estrogen