Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine - Department of Oral Pathology
Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is one of the most common malignant tumors of salivary glands that often presents a diagnostic and treatment challenge. Our study aimed at understanding the biological behavior of this neoplasm through comparing the expression of the recent invasion molecular marker; extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN), as well as the cellular morphometric parameters (cellular area "CA", nuclear area "NA" and nuclear / cytoplasmic ratio "N / C ratio") among the 3 main histologic subtypes of ACC. The EMMPRIN expression area percent, as well as the morphometric parameters (CA, NA and N / C ratio) were measured and calculated in a total of 30 ACC specimens, roughly classified into ten cases having a predominating cribriform pattern, ten with tubular pattern, and ten with a solid pattern. EMMPRIN immunostaining as well as the CA, NA, and N / C ratio increased from the tubular group to the cribriform group, until reaching their highest values in the solid group. However, the statistical results of the morphometric analysis were non - significant. EMMPRIN expression seems to be related to the histopathological pattern of ACC, suggesting that it might help in the future grading of this salivary gland malignancy