Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma in minor salivary glands of the anterior tongue: A case report

Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (CEPA) is defined as a pleomorphic adenoma from which an epithelial malignancy is derived. Most cases of CEPA occur in parotid glands, and CEPA arising in minor salivary glands is rare. We report an extremely rare case of CEPA arising in the minor salivary glands of the anterior tongue in a 64-year-old man. The mass of the left anterior surface of tongue was a 30 mm × 20 mm × 20 mm, relatively well-defined, elastic, hard, and tender. Biopsy was performed and the histological diagnosis was adenocarcinoma, not otherwise specified (NOS). Benign PA was not included in the biopsy specimen. A wide local excision of the tongue, with left upper neck dissection, and local flap repair were performed. The removed tumor was composed of adenocarcinoma, NOS accompanied with small foci of pre-existing chondroid areas of PA. A diagnosis of CEPA was finally made. There were no signs of recurrence and metastasis 22 months after the surgery.