Update on the dataset for histopathological reporting of salivary gland carcinomas: current concepts and controversies in salivary gland pathology

Abstract

Salivary gland pathology can be a notoriously complex area of diagnostic histopathology, with a number of benign and malignant neoplasms which can show overlapping histological features. Following the publication of the 5th edition of the World Health Organization (WHO) classification of Head and Neck Tumours, the Royal College of Pathologists (RCPath) has recently published an updated dataset encompassing the reporting of salivary gland carcinomas. In the following article, we outline the important concepts within the new dataset; including new and emerging entities, histological tumour grading, extent of tumour invasion, pathological staging and the use of ancillary methods for diagnosis.