[Polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma: a palatine and a labial location].
BACKGROUND
Polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma (PLGA) is a variant of malignant tumor of minor salivary glands. We had for aim to discuss morphology, evolution and differential diagnosis of this rare tumor.


METHODS
The first case was a 65-year-old woman admitted for a two-month history of a right submaxillary swelling. The examination revealed a tumor of the right side of the palate. Biopsy was positive for a pleomorphic adenoma. The mass was enlarged and surgical resection was performed. The diagnosis was a partially resected PLGA. The patient also received adjuvant radiotherapy. There was a local recurrence 28 months after complete treatment. The second case was a 57-year-old woman who consulted for a 12-year history of lower lip swelling. The examination revealed a painless 2cm long located nodule in the mucosal side of the lower lip. An excisional biopsy was performed. The pathological examination concluded to a completely resected PLGA. The patient was free of disease at 54 months follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
The morphologic diversity and cytological uniformity of PLGA may make the differential diagnostic difficult especially with adenoid cystic carcinoma and pleomorphic adenoma. Its aggressiveness is proved by a local infiltrative growth pattern requiring a large surgical excision.
Laboratoire d'anatomie et de cytologie pathologiques, CHU Habib-Bourguiba, route El-Aïn Km 0,5, 3029 Sfax, Tunisie. chaabouni_salma_tn@yahoo.fr
S
S
Chaâbouni
L
L
Ayadi
H
H
Dhouib
K
K
Abbès
A
A
Khabir
T
T
Boudawara
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D008949:Adenoma, Pleomorphic / Q000175:diagnosis; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D003528:Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008048:Lip Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology; D010157:Palatal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant