Evaluation of CD44 Expression in Malignant Salivary Gland Tumors

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the presence and correlation of CD44 in selected malignant salivary glands tumors (SGTs), carcinoma ex pleomorphic (Ca ex PA), mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) and adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) histopathological variants. Material and Methods: Thirty-five formalin fixed paraffin embedded blocks of both normal and malignant salivary gland specimens were included. Immunohistochemical analysis was employed to assess the expression of CD44. Results: In the present study, comparing all groups revealed that the highest value was recorded in MEC, followed by ACC, then Ca ex PA, while the lowest mean was recorded in normal salivary tissue. ANOVA tests indicated that all groups had statistically significant differences (p=0,00). Comparing all subtypes of ACC revealed a significant difference between solid pattern and cribriform tubular patterns. Also, there is a significant difference between the high and low grades MEC. Conclusion: According to the current study, the pattern of expression of CD44 was correlated with the histopathological variants and serve as tumor behavior indicator.