Fine-needle aspiration cytology of extra-salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a ubiquitous tumour which can occur in several sites of the human body. Commonly, it affects the salivary glands but also can rarely occur in various extra-salivary locations. AIM: To study the clinical and cytological features of extra-salivary ACC on fine needle aspiration cytology. METHODS: In this paper, we included 27 patients with extra-salivary ACC on fine needle aspiration cytology over a period of 5.5 years. The complete cytomorphological spectrum of extra-salivary ACC was studied. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 50.2 years, with age ranging between 14 and 80 years. Male to female ratio was 1:1.7 with 17 females and 10 males. The most frequent primary site was the orbit, and the most frequent sites of metastasis were liver and lung. CONCLUSION: Cytopathologists should be alert about the full range of location as well as the cytological spectrum of extra-salivary ACC for greater precision in diagnosis and prompt treatment.