Immunohistochemical study of four histologic types of parotid gland pleomorphic adenoma.

The immunohistochemical detection of lysozyme, lactoferrin, a1-antichymotrypsin and a1-antitrypsin was used to investigate the marker expression and histogenesis of each one of four histologic types of 20 parotid gland pleomorphic adenomas. Moreover, 10 adult and 20 neonate parotid glands were studied. The immunohistochemical analysis revealed that tumor types 1 and 2 are nearly identical immunohistochemically while types 3 and 4 differ from one another, as well as from types 1 and 2. The markers used failed to suggest that the tumor arises from epithelial cells of any specific anatomic part of the parotid gland.