Usage of Milan System in Risk Stratification of Submandibular Gland Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology.

Abstract

Objectives: The Milan System for Reporting Salivary Gland Cytopathology (MSRSGC) categorizes fine needle aspiration and cytology (FNAC) results into 6 tiers and assigns a risk of malignancy (ROM) to each category. Its utility in submandibular gland lesions remains unclear. Our article aims to study (1) the utility of the MSRSGC in classifying FNAC of submandibular gland masses, (2) describe the demographics and incidence of submandibular gland malignancy in our population, and (3) analyze the accuracy of FNAC in diagnosis of benign and malignant submandibular gland tumors.

Methods: In this retrospective case series, the FNAC results of 92 patients who underwent pre-operative FNAC and excision of submandibular gland between May 2008 and December 2023 were reviewed and assigned to a MSRSGC category, and ROM was calculated based on histological diagnosis.

Results: 20/92 (21.7%) submandibular gland excisions with pre-operative FNAC were malignant. ROM is as follows: non-diagnostic 7.1%, non-neoplastic 12.5%, atypia of undetermined significance 35.3%, benign neoplasm 3.3%, salivary gland neoplasm of uncertain malignant potential 35%, suspicious for malignancy 100%, and malignant 100%.

Conclusion: Our study validates the usage of the MSRSGC in the work up of submandibular gland tumors.

Level of evidence: 4 Laryngoscope, 2025.