Acinic Cell Carcinoma — MFDS Part 1 MCQ
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Correct answer: A — It most often arises in the parotid and usually behaves as a low-grade malignancy, although recurrence or metastasis may occur.
Explanation lettering: C = shown as B · E = shown as C · B = shown as E
Acinic cell carcinoma most commonly affects the parotid gland and has traditionally been regarded as a relatively low-grade salivary malignancy. It is not confined to the parotid or to major glands, however, and local recurrence and regional or distant metastasis can occur. High-grade histological features are associated with substantially worse outcomes. Cribriform architecture with prominent perineural invasion is more characteristic of adenoid cystic carcinoma (B), while mucous, intermediate and epidermoid cells define mucoepidermoid carcinoma (C). Acinic cell carcinoma is malignant rather than benign (D), and HPV is not an established defining cause (E).
Reference: Xu B et al. Head and Neck Acinic Cell Carcinoma: A New Grading System Proposal and Diagnostic Utility of NR4A3 Immunohistochemistry. American Journal of Surgical Pathology. 2022;46(7):933-941. and Clinical Characteristics and Prognostic Factors of 199 Salivary Acinic Cell Carcinoma. 2025. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40033493/