Scholarlink

Background <p>Metastasizing pleomorphic adenoma is an exceptionally rare variant of salivary gland neoplasms that maintains histologically benign features while demonstrating metastatic behavior. Lymph node involvement is particularly uncommon, representing only 20.1% of reported metastatic cases.</p> Case presentation <p>A 31-year-old Iranian female patient presented with a progressively enlarging left cervical mass developing over 4&#xa0;years. Her history included surgical excision of a pleomorphic adenoma 12&#xa0;years prior. Ultrasonography revealed a complex multinodular mass within the submandibular salivary gland and distinct lymphadenopathy in the left lateral neck. Surgical excision and histopathological examination confirmed metastasizing pleomorphic adenoma with lymph node involvement, maintaining characteristic benign cytological features despite its metastatic presentation.</p> Conclusion <p>This case of metastasizing pleomorphic adenoma, occurring after a 12-year latency period, clinically supports the contemporary hypothesis that a long incubation time of residual disease, rather than recurrence itself, is a critical factor for metastatic transformation. The report contributes to the limited literature on the lymphatic dissemination of this tumor and powerfully underscores that indefinite long-term surveillance is mandatory for all patients with a history of pleomorphic adenoma. Finally, it highlights the diagnostic paradox that persists when advanced molecular testing is unavailable, reinforcing that clinical vigilance is paramount regardless of a benign histological report.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

The paradox of benign histology and malignant behavior: lymphatic metastasis in pleomorphic adenoma—a case report

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月3日

查看全文
  • Melika Nematolahzade,
  • Hadi Eslami,
  • Touraj Reza Mirshekari

摘要

Background

Metastasizing pleomorphic adenoma is an exceptionally rare variant of salivary gland neoplasms that maintains histologically benign features while demonstrating metastatic behavior. Lymph node involvement is particularly uncommon, representing only 20.1% of reported metastatic cases.

Case presentation

A 31-year-old Iranian female patient presented with a progressively enlarging left cervical mass developing over 4 years. Her history included surgical excision of a pleomorphic adenoma 12 years prior. Ultrasonography revealed a complex multinodular mass within the submandibular salivary gland and distinct lymphadenopathy in the left lateral neck. Surgical excision and histopathological examination confirmed metastasizing pleomorphic adenoma with lymph node involvement, maintaining characteristic benign cytological features despite its metastatic presentation.

Conclusion

This case of metastasizing pleomorphic adenoma, occurring after a 12-year latency period, clinically supports the contemporary hypothesis that a long incubation time of residual disease, rather than recurrence itself, is a critical factor for metastatic transformation. The report contributes to the limited literature on the lymphatic dissemination of this tumor and powerfully underscores that indefinite long-term surveillance is mandatory for all patients with a history of pleomorphic adenoma. Finally, it highlights the diagnostic paradox that persists when advanced molecular testing is unavailable, reinforcing that clinical vigilance is paramount regardless of a benign histological report.