Submandibular Gland Basal Cell Adenoma

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Pathology
• Otorhinolaryngology

Background:

• Basal cell adenoma (BCA) is a rare, benign epithelial tumor primarily affecting salivary glands, with a predilection for the parotid gland and rare occurrences in the submandibular gland.
• Accurate diagnosis of BCA is challenging due to its histological similarity to other benign and malignant salivary and non-salivary neoplasms, often necessitating definitive histopathological examination.

Observation:

• This report details a rare case of basal cell adenoma in the submandibular gland of a 60-year-old female patient presenting with painless swelling.
• Preoperative diagnosis was achieved using fine needle aspiration cytology.
• Surgical intervention was performed without complications, and subsequent histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of basal cell adenoma.

Findings:

• Fine needle aspiration cytology can be a valuable tool for the preoperative diagnosis of submandibular gland basal cell adenoma.
• Histopathological examination remains the gold standard for confirming basal cell adenoma, especially given its potential to mimic other salivary gland tumors.

Implications:

• This case underscores the utility of fine needle aspiration cytology in the diagnostic workup of rare salivary gland tumors.
• Accurate preoperative diagnosis can aid in surgical planning and patient management for basal cell adenomas.
• Further research into distinguishing features of BCA on cytology may improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce the need for invasive biopsies.