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Comparison of adenoid cystic carcinomas arising from the parotid gland vs. the submandibular gland: focus on systemic metastasis and tumor‐associated blood vessels
Author(s) -
Shin DaYong,
Jang KyuSun,
Kim Bo Young,
Choi Ji Eun,
Yoon Heejei,
Ko YoungHyeh,
Jeong HanSin
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of oral pathology and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.887
H-Index - 83
eISSN - 1600-0714
pISSN - 0904-2512
DOI - 10.1111/jop.12155
Subject(s) - adenoid cystic carcinoma , pathology , metastasis , submandibular gland , angiogenesis , immunohistochemistry , salivary gland , medicine , blood vessel , parotid gland , tumor microenvironment , neovascularization , carcinoma , cancer
Background Although several studies reported that distant metastasis occurs more frequently in the tumors of submandibular gland ( SMG ) than parotid gland ( PG ), why SMG tumors preferentially metastasize to distant organs is not fully understood. We aimed to identify the differential tumor microenvironment for distant metastasis and possible underlying mechanisms. Methods We retrieved 27 cases of 1–4‐cm‐sized adenoid cystic carcinomas ( ACC s) arising from the PG ( n = 12) and SMG ( n = 15). c‐ KIT , VEGF ‐R2, and CD 31 staining were quantified by image‐based analysis to define the positive expression or tumor‐associated vessel areas in two representative sections per case. In addition, angiogenesis‐related genomic expression profiling was carried out to explore the underlying mechanism, which was confirmed by RT ‐ PCR and immunohistochemistry. Results Earlier systemic dissemination within 2 years was detected exclusively in SMG ACC s (5/15). The area of tumor‐associated blood vessels was larger in SMG ACC s than PG ACC s, and ACC s showing distant metastasis had greater blood vessel area than those without metastasis. Interestingly, normal SMG had more blood vessels per area than PG . Among angiogenesis‐related signals, the level of IL ‐6 was significantly lower in SMG ACC s than PG ACC s. Moreover, IL ‐6 expression decreased significantly in SMG ACC s compared with that in normal SMG , whereas it was up‐regulated in PG ACC s. Conclusion ACC s in the SMG microenvironment have more abundant tumor‐associated blood vessels than PG ACC s, which may explain the higher risk of distant metastasis from SMG tumors.