ABSTRACT
Background: Mast cells with a battery of crucial chemical mediators in their typical metachromatic granules are known to play a role in health and various disease states in man. This study was undertaken to evaluate the mast cell profile in some commonly encountered benign and malignant salivary gland neoplasms. Materials & Methods: The present study was carried out in the Department of Pathology, M.R. Medical College, Gulbarga over a period of 5 years (3 years retrospective i.e., from August 2003 to August 2006 and 2 years prospective study i.e., from September 2006 to August 2008) which included a total of 50 cases each of control and study groups. Sections were stained with H&E and 1% aqueous toluidine blue (pH=4) for mast cells. The mast cell count was performed per 10 HPF, tabulated, analyzed and statistically evaluated. Results: A significant (p<0.001) increase of mast cell was observed in commonly encountered salivary gland neoplasm’s when compared with that of control group. Mast cell count was significantly increased in Pleomorphic adenoma as compared to basal cell adenoma and oncocytoma. Mast cell count was significantly more (p<0.05) in malignant tumor as compared to benign tumors of salivary gland. Conclusion: The present study documents striking mast cell alteration in some common salivary gland lesions. Mast cell profile may be used as an additional diagnostic or supportive parameter to differentiate between malignant versus benign lesions of salivary gland in addition to other diagnostic parameters.