Polymorphus low-grade adenocarcinoma of the maxilla: pathological findings and reconstructive considerations

Polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma (PLGA) is a rare, malignant salivary gland tumor, which is found almost exclusively in minor salivary glands, primarily those in the palate. We report a case of PLGA arising from minor salivary gland of the palate in a 63-year-old female patient. The tumor was resected through the oral cavity performing a bilateral maxillectomy and surgical defect was reconstructed using a free radial forearm flap combined with iliac crest bone graft. The patient was free of disease at 48 months follow-up. The histopathological features of PLGA, the importance of differential diagnosis from pleomorphic adenoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma and the type of reconstruction are discussed in this article.