Abstract

Adenoid cystic carcinoma constitutes 4 percent of all benign and malignant epithelial salivary gland tumors and is a highly malignant tumor of the salivary glands. The cytologic presentation in aspirates is usually characteristic with spherical clusters(balls) of small tumor cells filled with hyaline material. But in case of the poorly differentiated variety(solid type), it is difficult to differentiate from other tumors because sheets of small, fairly monotonous malignant cells, with somewhat larger and more conspicuous nuclei are only seen. The cytologic findings of fine needle aspiration of solid type adenoid cystic carcinoma of buccal mucosa in a 51-year-old man are presented. On cytologic findings, solid sheets of monotonous tumor cells with focal necrosis was noted on a hemorrhagic background and the characteristic cytologic features of adenoid cystic carcinoma was absent.

• Keywords: Adenoid cystic carcinoma;Solid type;Fine needle aspiration cytology;Buccal mucosa