Sialoblastoma: a malignant congenital salivary gland tumour

Head and neck carcinoma is the sixth most common cancer worldwide and accounts for approximately 4% of all cancer cases, with incidence varying by subtype and anatomical location . Salivary gland tumours in childhood are rare, with an annual incidence of less than 1 per million, representing fewer than 10% of paediatric head and neck cancers. Although the annual incidence of paediatric salivary gland malignancies is less than 1 per million, a salivary gland neoplasm presenting in a child carries a 50-60% probability of malignancy, with sialoblastoma accounting for approximately 4% of all salivary gland tumours.We report the case of a term newborn who presented with a firm left infra-auricular swelling at birth. Initial ultrasound imaging revealed a well-defined, round lesion with homogeneous internal echogenicity and acoustic enhancement. Subsequent MRI of the neck demonstrated a well-circumscribed, solitary lesion within the left parotid gland. Histopathological examination revealed features consistent with a primary malignant salivary gland tumour, with morphology and immunophenotype suggestive of sialoblastoma. The newborn was treated with complete surgical excision and remained disease-free at 3 months post surgery.