[Unusual location of pleomorphic adenoma: A series of 7 cases]

The pleomorphic adenoma is a benign tumor of the salivary glands. Its location outside the main salivary glands defines the pleomorphic adenoma of atypical location. The aim of this study is to analyze the clinical, diagnostical and therapeutical features of this tumor at atypical locations through seven observations.

This work is a retrospective study. It has for objective to present 7 cases of pleomorphic adenoma developed on minor salivary glands diagnosed in Otolaryngology Head and Neck surgery department in Mohammed VI University hospital, between December 2003 and December 2010.

We had 3 cases of pleomorphic adenoma of the hard palate and 1 case of each soft palate, superior lip, lower eyelid and nasal septum. The sex ratio woman/ man was 133. The symptomatology was variable according to the location of the tumor. The tumoral syndrome was constant. The diagnosis of pleomorphic adenoma was suspected at the clinical stage in 3 cases of palatal location. The CT scan was performed for all patients except in 2 cases of the tumor of the lip and the eyelid. We did not realize a magnetic resonance imaging nor of a fine needle aspiration to our patients. The preoperative biopsy was realized to 5 patients. The treatment consisted of a wide surgical excision of the tumor. The mean follow up of 3 years showed no signs of recurrence nor of malignant transformation.

The pleomorphic adenoma of atypical location is rare. The clinical presentation is variable according to the tumor site and volume. The treatment is surgical. It is based on the early and complete excision of the tumor. The histo-pathological diagnosis is made. The diagnosis differential is with malignant tumors arising on minor salivary glands. The prognosis is favorable. Nevertheless, regular and prolonged follow-up of the patients is important to watch for complications.