Estrogen receptor overexpression in malignant minor salivary gland tumors of the sinonasal tract

Objectives: To identify the expression of estrogen receptors in malignant minor salivary gland tumors of the sinonasal tract. Study Design: Case series with chart review. Subjects and Methods: A retrospective review of a pathology database identified 17 patients with malignant salivary gland tumors between December 1987 and January 2006. Clinicopathologic data were collected, and immunohistochemical staining for estrogen receptor α and β was performed. Results: Among these malignant tumors, adenoid cystic carcinoma was the predominant histologic type. In addition to epistaxis and nasal obstruction, the headache, facial, or ocular symptoms were also commonly noted in this cohort. Seventy-five percent of cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma were positive for estrogen receptor α. In contrast, only 17 percent of cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma were positive for estrogen receptor β. Conclusion: Malignant minor salivary gland tumors of the sinonasal tract are rare disease entities. In the present series, adenoid cystic carcinoma was the most common form of tumor, but the prognosis was poor. Most of the cases were positive for expression of estrogen receptor α, which suggests that hormone therapy may have a role in the management of certain minor salivary gland tumors of the paranasal sinus and nasal cavity.