Adenoid cystic carcinoma – Solid variant

Abstract

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) accounts for about 1% of all head and neck malignancies and 6–10% of all salivary gland neoplasms. ACC is a rare slow growing salivary gland neoplasm with a high recurrence rate. It can occur in any salivary gland site, but approximately 50–60% develop within the minor salivary glands especially palate. Rarely, ACC arising intraosseously have also been reported. ACC is characterized for its wide local infiltration, perineural spread, local recurrence, and distant metastasis. Pain is a common and important finding, occurring early in the course of the disease before there is a noticeable swelling, which is mainly due to neoplastic cell neurotropism. This report describes a case of ACC in the left posterolateral portion of the hard palate in a 36-year-old woman, along with review of literature on ACC.

Keywords

• Adenoid cystic carcinoma
• palate
• salivary glands