Seromucinous-Gland Neoplasms

Seromucinous-gland neoplasms are uncommon neoplasms that arise from the bronchial glands. They include true mucous-gland adenomas as well as tumors similar to those found in the salivary glands.

Part 1 Mucous-Gland Adenoma

Bruno Murer

Mucous-gland adenomas are extremely rare benign soft polypoid endobronchial tumors of the tracheobronchial seromucinous glands. Patients generally present with symptoms of airway obstruction, and radiographic studies demonstrate a coin lesion. Low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma may closely mimic mucous-gland adenoma; however, unlike low-grade mucoepidermoid tumors, mucous-gland adenomas do not contain an intermediatecell or squamous-cell component.

Histologic Features

Mucous-filled cystic glands; nondilated microacini, glands, tubules, and papillae also may be seen.
Cystic glands are lined by columnar to flattened mucus-secreting cells.
Spindle-cell stroma with occasional hyalinization and lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate.
Oncocytic and clear-cell change as well as focal ciliated epithelium may be seen.

Figure 23.1 Low power of mucous-gland adenoma showing a well-circumscribed lesion containing dilated and irregular glandular spaces, some of which contain mucin.