Abstract
Abstract BACKGROUND: Salivary gland carcinomas (SGCs) are diagnostically challenging lesions in heterogeneous groups. However, recently described genomic alterations may be helpful and have future therapeutic implications. Diagnosis of acinic cell carcinoma (AcCC) is challenging due to its rarity and similarity with other SGCs or normal acinar cells. AIM: Herein, the diagnostic performance of transcription factor nuclear receptor subfamily 4 Group A member 3 (NR4A3) was analyzed immunohistochemically. METHODS: This study was done on 68 cases of SGCs, including 32 of AcCC, 14 of adenoid cystic carcinoma (AdCC), eight of mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC), seven of epithelial myoepithelial carcinoma (EMC), four of salivary duct carcinoma (SDC), and only one case from each of carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (CXPA), polymorphous adenocarcinoma (PAC), and secretory carcinoma (SC) for detecting NR4A3. RESULTS: All stained samples of AcCC (100%) responded positively to the NR4A3 antibody. However, only one case of AdCC and MEC demonstrated NR4A3 immunostaining in <10% of cells. On the other hand, the different types of SGCs, including EMC, SDC, CXPA, PAC, and SC, revealed negative expressions. CONCLUSION: Therefore, we can conclude that NR4A3 can be used as a potential marker for AcCC rather than other SGCs