Seven cases of acinic cell adenocarcinoma, a neoplasm with distinct clinicopathological features, diagnosed in our laboratory during a period of 10 years, are presented. Six cases were salivary gland tumors, which in our material constitute the second more common neoplasm of these organs. Five out of six tumors, were located in the parotid gland, which is the main site of their development and the sixth in a minor salivary gland of the lower lip. An additional case of a primary salivary gland- type pulmonary tumor which presented as an endobronchial mass was included in our study. The patients' age was 76-, 71-, 56-, 50-, 28- and 60-years and the greatest tumor diameter varied from 0.6 to 1.5 cm. Histologically, all neoplasms had typical morphological features consistent with acinic cell adenocarcinoma. Acinic cell adenocarcinoma is a neoplasm with a rather indolent biological course, in spite of its metastatic potential which is responsible for the prevalence of the term “carcinoma” instead of that of “tumor”. A broad histological and immunohistochemical investigation was performed confirming the diagnosis and the low malignant potential of the tumors. A review of the available literature is reported.

Key words: Acinic, adenocarcinoma, parotid, salivary gland, lung, Fechner tumor.

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