Mucinous adenocarcinoma of the sublingual gland.

A case of mucinous (colloid) adenocarcinoma of the sublingual gland is reported. Adenocarcinomas associated with large pools of extracellular mucin are extremely rare in the major salivary glands. Analysis of the tumor for cytokeratin expression, estrogen and progesterone receptors was performed. Predominantly, the tumor expressed cytokeratins 7, 8, 18 and 19 that are commonly found in simple epithelia, and to a lesser degree cytokeratins 4 and 13 which are usually found in complex epithelia. Staining for estrogen and progesterone receptors was negative. No other cancer has been detected for three years after the first examination. The tumor is considered to be a primary mucinous adenocarcinoma of the sublingual gland.