2023 Volume 69 Issue 4 Pages 174-177
Salivary gland tumors are often considered difficult to diagnose pathologically because of their histological variability and complexity. There were only nine histological types in the first edition (1972) of the WHO classification of salivary gland tumors; however, 35 histological types will be adopted in the 5th edition (2022). This is mainly due to epidemiological data, the recognition of new concepts, advances in immunohistochemistry and the discovery of tumor-specific gene mutations.
Fine-needle aspiration cytology is a useful tool for the preoperative diagnosis of salivary gland lesions. In recent years, various international reporting formats have become widespread in cytopathology. The Milan System for Reporting Salivary Gland Cytopathology was published in 2018 and is now becoming a global standard. In the Milan System, six tiered cytological categories are used for the practical interpretation and standardization of cytological findings, and the characteristic numerically designated“ risk of malignancy (ROM)” is an effective method for ensuring the appropriate clinical management of salivary gland tumors.
