Cyclin A expression and its diagnostic value in pleomorphic adenoma and carcinoma expleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland.

AIMS: To investigate cyclin A expression in pleomorphic adenoma (PA) and carcinoma expleomorphic adenoma (CXPA) of the parotid gland with a view to assessing its potential value as a diagnostic marker for CXPA. METHODS AND RESULTS: Cyclin A expression in PA and CXPA was studied using semiquantitative immunohistochemistry. The epithelial component of the tumours expressed cyclin A in a statistically significantly (P < 0.005) higher number of CXPA cases (86%) compared with the PA cases (39%). Cyclin A was not expressed in normal salivary tissues of PA and CXPA. CONCLUSIONS: High cyclin A expression is a useful marker for the pathological diagnosis of CXPA.