Sinonasal and skull base pleomorphic adenoma: a case series and literature review

Abstract

PA of the sinonasal tract and skull base is a rare, benign tumor that often may be surgically accessible through an endonasal, endoscopic approach. Recurrent disease may behave more aggressively than PA found in the major salivary glands. Accurate tumor sampling is essential for surgical planning, because malignant transformation does occur. In certain cases of unresectable tumors, endoscopic debulking may improve patient symptoms and quality of life.

Pleomorphic adenoma in the nasal cavity: a clinicopathological study of ten cases in Finland

“…In the report of Kuan et al one of their own patients had a large carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma in maxillary sinus and this was managed surgically and with adjuvant radiotherapy. At 9 months he developed distant metastases and died of the disease at 1 year after surgery [8]. In addition to their own case, three other cases with a malignancy ex sinonasal pleomorphic adenoma were found in the literature.…”

“…Two larger series comprising 40 and 41 patients with a pleomorphic adenoma in nasal cavity have been reported in 1977 and 1990, respectively [6,7]. Another case series included 39 sinonasal and skull base pleomorphic adenoma patients [8]. In this review the primary pleomorphic adenoma originated from parotid gland in three patients and all the others were located in the sinonasal area [8].…”

“…In addition to their own case, three other cases with a malignancy ex sinonasal pleomorphic adenoma were found in the literature. Myoepithelial carcinomas arising in recurrent pleomorphic adenomas in the maxillary sinus have also been described and this case report was included in the above-mentioned review by Kuan et al [8,14].…”

“…Another case series included 39 sinonasal and skull base pleomorphic adenoma patients [8]. In this review the primary pleomorphic adenoma originated from parotid gland in three patients and all the others were located in the sinonasal area [8]. Additionally, most references found in the literature are case reports [5,[9][10][11].…”

“…Further, infrequent malignant transformations have been reported [7,8,[12][13][14]. Toluie and Thompson [13] reviewed a series of nine of their patients with sinonasal tract adenoid cystic carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (between 1970 and 2000) and six patients from the literature (publications in English (MEDLINE 1966(MEDLINE -2012 [13].…”