African Journal of Medical Case Reports

African Journal of Medical Case Reports Vol. 2 (2), pp. 019-021, February, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Salivary gland cystadenocarcinoma of the tongue: A case report and literature review

Mona Mlika¹*, Ines Chelly¹, Heifa Azouz¹, Houda Ouertani², Ghazi Besbes², Emna Mnif³, Slim Haouet¹, Mohamed Moncef Zitouna¹ and Nidhameddine Kchir¹

¹Department of Pathology, La Rabta Hospital, Bab Saadoun, Tunis, Tunisia.

²Department of Otorhinolaryngology, La Rabta Hospital, Bab Saadoun, Tunis, Tunisia.

³Department of Radiology, La Rabta Hospital, Bab Saadoun, Tunis, Tunisia.

*Corresponding author. Email: [email protected].

Accepted 2 September, 2013

Abstract

Cystadenocarcinoma is a rare salivary gland tumor which commonly arises in the ovary and the appendix. Only 7 cases have been reported in the tongue with 2 cases described as highly malignant. We report a case of cystadenocarcinoma of the base of the tongue in a 79-year-old man who presented with goiter and dysphagia. Physical examination showed a mass of the tongue. Treatment consisted in a partial glossectomy. The patient was free of recurrences after one year of follow up. Cystadenocarcinoma of the tongue is a very rare tumor on which diagnosis is based on histological findings. The treatment is based on surgical excision. These tumours are reported to have a good prognosis but some cases have been described reported to recur even after many years of follow up.

Key words: Cystadenocarcinoma, base of the tongue.