Carcinoma of the parotid gland duct. Rare differential diagnosis of a tumor in the cheek

Abstract

Carcinomas arising in the parotid duct (Stensen's duct) are extremely rare, and only a few cases have been reported. We present another case of a squamous cell carcinoma of Stensen's duct. Clinical aspects, diagnosis, and therapy are discussed, as is the differential diagnosis of tumors in the cheek region. Results of clinical and imaging investigations are typical of a malignant tumor. Differential diagnosis of a nodule in the region of the Stensen's duct includes salivary and metastatic tumors of the parotid gland and the accessory parotid gland tissue as well as carcinomas of the oral mucosa and the skin that invade the duct. Nonneoplastic conditions may cause swelling in the cheek region that simulates a tumor. Such conditions include salivary calculi, tumor-like inflammatory nodules, strictures of the duct, congenital stenosis, and diverticulum. The preoperative diagnosis of a primary Stensen's duct carcinoma remains difficult. Diagnosis requires clinical, histological, and intraoperative exclusion of a primary tumor originating elsewhere in the cheek region as well as metastatic disease and nonneoplastic lesions.