[Uncommon tumor and pseudotumor lesions of the submandibular fossa]

The histological examination of the salivary gland tumors is a very important step in the diagnostic approach of the lesions, on which depends the success of therapeutic outcome. Some surprises may occur; four examples were reported. In one case the lesion was not a tumor but a tuberculous lymphadenitis; another showed a Destombes Rosai Dorfman syndrome. Two other cases were found to be unusual tumors: a carcinosarcoma of the submandibular gland and a metastasis of a Merkel carcinoma in the submandibular gland.