Expression of β-Catenin in Salivary Gland Tumors.

Background: Salivary gland tumors are an important group of neoplasms in the head and neck region. This study aims to assess the significance of β-catenin expression in both benign and malignant salivary gland tumors.

Methods: We included 80 reported cases of benign and malignant salivary gland tumors and employed β-catenin stain on tumor blocks. A consultant histopathologist interpreted the β-catenin expression, and a score of 0, 1, 2, 3 was given based on intensity as completely absent, mild, moderate, or intense. Intracellular localization of β-catenin stain was interpreted as the percentage of membranous, cytoplasmic, or nuclear expression.

Results: Expression in benign and malignant classes of salivary gland tumors differs in intensity and localization. The benign category of tumors exhibited primarily membranous expression, and all cases of Warthin tumor showed intense membranous expression (p ≤ 0.05). Malignant tumors manifested chiefly cytoplasmic expression, and among the malignant category, adenoid cystic carcinoma showed intense cytoplasmic localization (p ≤ 0.05). None of the tumors showed nuclear expression.

Conclusions: Decreased membranous and increased cytoplasmic expression could predict malignant behavior and invasive potential.