Morphologic and biologic characteristics of adenoid cystic carcinoma cells of the salivary gland.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma cells cultivated in monolayer and sponge matrix culture, or implanted on the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of embryonated eggs, were observed morphologically, and the glycosaminoglycan components in the tumor tissue were analyzed. This tumor tissue contained a large amount of glycosaminoglycans, composed of chondroitin 4- and 6-sulfate, heparan sulfate, hyaluronic acid, and a small amount of dermatan sulfate. In monolayer culture spindle cells proliferated vigorously as multilayer, and secreated mucinous material. In sponge matrix culture, the proliferating cells became embedded in the material produced by the cells themselves. A trace of fine fibers stained with orceine was observed in the intercellular material in culture. Histologic sections of the implants grown on CAM showed that the tumor cells arranged in various structures produced a large amount of mucinous material that spread into the stromal area without any contribution from the mesenchymal element. The morphologic and biologic characteristics of these tumor cells are quite similar to those of pleomorphic adenoma.