Literature Review of Sebaceous and Non-Sebaceous Lymphadenoma

Abstract

Lymphadenoma of the salivary gland is a rare form of tumor that can be branched into Sebaceous Lymphadenoma (SLA) and Non-Sebaceous Lymphadenoma (NSLA). It is painless, hyperdense, shiny yellowish/brownish unicystic or multicystic mass which is encapsulated and well defined having lymphocytic and/or lymphoid follicles background present with or without sebaceous differentiation. Both SLA and NSLA are predominantly located in parotids with occasional case appearing in minor salivary glands and has <100 and <50 reported cases respectively in English literature. We have attempted to compile reported case studies on SLA and NSLA and tried to make analysis on the basis of findings. Our analysis revealed that both SLA and NSLA are often non-malignant in nature but feature of malignancy cannot be completely ruled out. Data also found that SLA and NSLA has a significant gender bias towards males but NSLA is more likely to appear at an early age as compared to SLA which often emerge after the 5th decade of life. Further, differential diagnosis should be considered to distinguish SLA and NSLA from Warthin’s tumor, pleomorphic adenoma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma, cystadenoma, lymphoepithelial cysts, myoepithelial sialadenitis, malignant lymphoma and metastatic adenocarcinoma of lymph node. This review discusses various techniques used in the past studies that can be helpful in making differential diagnosis.