[Malignant pleomorphic adenoma of the palate]

Pleomorphic adenoma or mixed tumor is the most common benign neoplasm of the minor salivary glands. These tumors rarely have malignant features. Three varieties are differentiated by histological features and tumor behavior. Whether malignant tumors develop on benign adenomas or are malignant from onset is still not known. A malignant mixed tumor of the minor salivary glands of the palate is reported. The difficulty of histological diagnosis, in spite of immunohistochemical techniques, is emphasized and the surgical treatment is described.