A CASE OF ACINIC CELL CARCINOMA ORIGINATING FROM THE MINOR SALIVARY GLAND

Abstract

Recent experience with a rare case of acinic cell carcinoma originating from the minor salivary gland, which metastasized to the lymph node in the submandibular region following repeated recurrence after the initial operation 30 years before, is reported here. The patient was a 66-year-old man. There were histories of undergoing the initial operation for a tumor in the right oral vestibule at elsewhere about 30 years before and the second operation for a tumor in the same region 5 years before, of which details were unknown. Recently the patient visited the hospital because of tumors of the submandibular region and minor salivary gland. Aspiration biopsy cytology of both tumors showed class IIIb. The right submandibular gland with the tumor and the tumor of minor salivary gland were therefore removed. The final histological examination showed the lymphnode metastasis in the submandibular region from the acinic cell carcinoma originating from the minor salivary gland. It is generally known that the acinic cell carcinoma of the salivary gland is relatively low grade malignant, although the recurrence rate isn't low. In this case reoperation for the radicality was not performed, because the patient and his family never hoped, where long-term follow up would be mandatory.