Recurrent Sclerosing Polycystic Adenosis of the Parotid Gland: An Entity with Distinct Histomorphology on Biopsy

Abstract

Pathological examination plays a significant role in diagnosing and distinguishing benign and malignant tumors of the salivary gland. One such lesion which mimics malignancy clinically is sclerosing polycystic adenosis (SPA). This is a rare benign reactive lesion of the salivary glands included in the WHO 2017 classification in the “non-neoplastic epithelial lesion” category. Here, we describe a young female with SPA of the parotid gland showing classic histomorphological features. We clinically suspected a malignancy as it was recurrent with an expansile growth pattern. Awareness of this nonneoplastic rare entity is crucial to avoid misdiagnosis as it mimics malignancy.

Keywords

• parotid gland
• benign reaction
• sclerosing polycystic adenosis
• tumor mimic