Clear cell variants of salivary gland tumors: histochemical and ultrastructural study

ABSTRACT

Eleven cases identified as primary clear cell tumors of salivary gland were studied to determine the morphologic, and ultrastructural parameters of this group. These tumors were divided into two variants;the bimorphic variant composed of well defined tubules of cuboidal cells together with clear cells, while the monomorphic variant composed of pure nests or sheets of clear cells. Ultrastructurally, the bimorphic variant exhibited differentiation towards epithelial and myoepithelial directions. On the other hand, the monomorphic variant was composed of undifferentiated cells. Despite the fact that both variants contain clear cells, they are considered to be distinctive entities