title: Salivary duct carcinoma with striking neutrophil-tumor cell cannibalism.
abstract: Cannibalism of neutrophils by tumor cells has previously been reported in certain carcinomas, lymphoma and melanoma. Tumor cannibalism is believed to serve as a tumor-immune escape mechanism, associated with high-grade aggressive cancers with a significantly increased metastatic potential. This interesting phenomenon has not been previously documented in association with salivary gland tumors. We report, for the first time, striking neutrophil-tumor cell cannibalism associated with a high grade, aggressive and metastatic salivary duct carcinoma of the parotid gland highlighted within cytological and surgical excision pathology specimens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Payam
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Arya
authors.forename: Walid E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Khalbuss
authors.forename: Sara E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Monaco
authors.forename: Liron
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pantanowitz