Adenocarcinoma of the sublingual gland: Case report and 50 year review of the literature

Abstract

Primary adenocarcinoma arising in the sublingual gland is extremely rara, accounting for six cases reported in extensive survey of the literature for the period of 1930 to 1981. A case of adenocarcinoma of the sublingual gland is documented, demonstrating a highly malignant nature of the disease. This neoplasm possesses particular therapeutic problems owing to the relative lack of symptoms and the delay of initial medical observation after the onset of symptoms.

Current management of the neck in salivary gland carcinomas

“…The incidence of regional recurrences is difficult to quote as there is only a small amount of data available. One case report showed that although occult metastases were found in the ipsilateral neck, contralateral neck disease presented 3 months later.…”

Sublingual gland tumors: Clinical, pathologic, and therapeutic analysis of 13 patients treated in a single institution

“…Salivary gland tumors (SGTs) are uncommon, representing 3.5% to 10% of all tumors arising in the head and neck area 1. Neoplasms of the sublingual glands are very rare, constituting between 0.3% and 5.2% of all epithelial SGTs and approximately 1.5% of all carcinomas of major salivary glands 1–4…”

“…Brunschwig5 published the first description of a sublingual gland tumor in 1930: a 60‐year‐old woman with a malignant mixed tumor on the right sublingual gland. From 1930 to 1981, only 59 cases of malignant sublingual gland tumors were described in the literature 3. Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) or mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) were the most common histopathologic types found according to some recent literature reviews 6–8.…”

Increased expression of cyclooxygenase‐2 in human salivary gland tumors

“…Twenty‐one to 46% of salivary gland tumors are histologically malignant 2 . Although irradiation, 4 heavy smoking 5 and alcohol consumption 6 are associated with tumor development and incidence, the pathogenesis is complex and poorly understood. The 10‐year survival rate is 83% in stage I disease and 24% in stage IV disease in salivary gland carcinoma (SGC): 7 local recurrence and distant metastasis are the main causes of death.…”