Epidemiologic and clinicopathologic features, therapeutic strategies, and prognosis for acinic cell carcinoma of the major and minor salivary glands are critically reviewed. We explore histopathologic, histochemical, electron microscopic and immunohistochemical aspects and discuss histologic grading, histogenesis, animal models, and genetic events. In the context of possible diagnostic difficulties, the relationship to mammary analog secretory carcinoma is probed and a classification is suggested. Areas of controversy or uncertainty, which may benefit from further investigations, are also highlighted.

• MeSH
• Carcinoma, Acinar Cell * epidemiology   metabolism   pathology   therapy   MeSH
• Diagnosis, Differential MeSH
• Microscopy, Electron MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Salivary Glands, Minor MeSH
• Disease Models, Animal MeSH
• Salivary Gland Neoplasms epidemiology   metabolism   pathology   therapy   MeSH
• Parotid Gland MeSH
• Preoperative Care MeSH
• Prognosis MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH