**1. Introduction**

Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is an important diagnostic tool for initial evaluation of salivary gland (SG) tumours. The global annual incidence for all SG tumours varies from 0.4 to 13.5 cases per 100,000 population [1]. Tumours of intraoral salivary glands (SGs) are relatively uncommon as compared to tumours of major SGs and constitutes 10–15% of all SG tumours with relative frequency varying from 0.4% to 1.52% in different part of the world [2, 3]. These tumours have a very distinct profile from tumours of major SGs with reference to tumour histological type, clinical presentation and distribution. Majority of intraoral minor SG tumours are malignant in contrast to major SG tumours where benign tumours outnumber the malignant ones [4]. While some studies documents mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) as the most common malignant tumour of minor SGs, other studies documents adenoid cystic carcinoma (ADCC) or pleomorphic adenoma (PA) as the most common tumour [5–10]. This difference in frequency of these histological types may be attributed to the differences in geographic location, race and varied

clinical presentation. The clinical presentation of intraoral SG tumours also range from mild pain to visible palpable mass in the oral cavity with or without ulceration leading to obstructive features such as difficulty in swallowing and deglutition. These tumours can occur at various intraoral locations such as mucosa of lips and cheeks, hard and soft palate, uvula, floor of the mouth, tongue, retromolar area and peritonsillar region. The hard palate is the most common site of occurrence [3–5]. Cytopathological evaluation of intraoral SG tumours is challenging as these tumours show heterogeneity and considerable morphological diversity and overlap [6]. The correct preoperative cytopathological diagnosis of intraoral SG tumours is essential for deciding further course of management and treatment. We here present key cytomorphological features of intraoral salivary gland tumours and tumour-like lesions with emphasis to overcome diagnostic challenges and pitfalls.
