Polymorphous Adenocarcinoma
Pronunciation: pol-ee-MOR-fus ad-ee-noh-KAR-sih-NOH-mah
Also written as: PAC — Polymorphous Adenocarcinoma
A low-grade malignant salivary gland tumour of minor glands characterised by cytological uniformity but architectural diversity, formerly called polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma (PLGA).
Full Definition
Polymorphous adenocarcinoma (PAC) predominantly arises in the minor salivary glands of the palate and is the second most common malignant tumour of minor salivary glands after mucoepidermoid carcinoma. It exhibits cytological uniformity (bland, oval nuclei) contrasted with striking architectural polymorphism — tubular, cribriform, papillary, and solid patterns may all coexist within the same tumour. The 2017 WHO update renamed it from 'polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma' to 'polymorphous adenocarcinoma' to reflect occasional high-grade transformation. Editors must update the older PLGA abbreviation and ensure the current preferred name is used in contemporary manuscripts.
Usage
Usage note: Replace 'PLGA' and 'polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma' with the current preferred term in manuscripts dated post-2017.
In Context
- "The palatal biopsy revealed polymorphous adenocarcinoma with its characteristic cribriform and tubular growth pattern." — Histopathology report
- "The author's consistent use of 'PLGA' was flagged by the editor as an outdated acronym to be replaced with 'PAC' per 2017 WHO nomenclature." — Journal copy-editing note