Adenocarcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract

Abstract

Although squamous cell carcinoma is the most frequent malignant diagnosis made with upper aerodigestive tract specimens, a myriad of neoplasms can occur throughout the area. Very uncommonly, one encounters adenocarcinomas that cannot be better classified as salivary gland-type neoplasia. This manuscript reviews these tumors, including sinonasal intestinal-type adenocarcinomas, sinonasal low-grade and high-grade nonintestinal adenocarcinomas and nasopharyngeal papillary adenocarcinomas. Clinical, histologic, and immunohistochemical features and differential diagnoses are discussed.