FNAC of a parotid swelling in a 16-year-old girl shows a mixture of epidermoid cells, mucin-secreting cells, and intermediate cells. The most likely diagnosis is:

• A Pleomorphic adenoma
• B Mucoepidermoid carcinoma ✓
• C Warthin tumour
• D Acinic cell carcinoma

Explanation

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is the most common malignant salivary gland tumour overall and the most common in children and young adults. Its hallmark is a combination of squamous (epidermoid) cells, mucus-producing cells, and intermediate cells, which is exactly what FNAC shows here. Pleomorphic adenoma shows epithelial cells with chondromyxoid stroma, Warthin tumour shows oncocytic cells with lymphoid stroma, and acinic cell carcinoma shows serous acinar cells with granular cytoplasm.

Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.