**Diagnostic challenges and pitfalls –** *Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma (ADCC)*


#### **Figure 6.**

*6a: Smear showing large hyaline spherical globules with well-defined borders with attached tumour cells in cup-shaped fashion (arrow) and also scattered singly in a case of adenoid cystic carcinoma (Papanicolaou stain x 4). 6b: Corresponding histological section showing tumour cells surrounded by basement membrane-like metachromatic material (PAS x 40).*

basaloid cells similar to ADCC but cells have granular chromatin rather than coarse nuclear chromatin seen in ADCC. The cells occasionally show peripheral palisading. Squamous morules or metaplasia can be frequently seen in BCA but not in ADCC.

d.Canalicular (CA) /Ductal Adenoma occurs in oral cavity predominantly in upper lip and buccal region [28]. It has overlapping cytological features with BCA. Cells of CA are cuboidal to columnar and are seen in clusters and cords. Unlike ADCC, the cells are monomorphic with finely dispersed chromatin and inconspicuous nucleoli.
