Pleomorphic adenoma (mixed tumor) of the upper lip: A case report

Abstract

BACKGROUND Salivary gland tumors are relatively rare. Most minor salivary gland tumors are malignant with benign tumors accounting for 18% of the tumors. Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is the most common salivary gland tumor. Lip PA is uncommon with 9.8% occurring in the upper lip. We are adding on the knowledge of the rare upper lip PA (benign mixed tumor). CASE SUMMARY We report an upper lip PA (benign mixed tumor) in a 28-year-old man. His complaint was a painless swelling on the upper lip. A painless, non-tender, well-circumscribed, slightly mobile, sessile, nodular, and rubbery (in consistency) tumor measuring 5.0 cm x 2.0 cm was noted on the left side of his upper lip. The overlying skin was not fixed and of normal color. There was no ulceration, and palpation did not elicit pain or bleeding. There was no history of trauma. Blunt dissection was used to completely excise the nodular, whitish, and encapsulated tumor. Microscopy showed a well-circumscribed and partly encapsulated biphasic lesion, with large lobules of myxo-chondroid stroma and intervening cellular nodules of basaloid cells, well-formed tubules containing eosinic secretion, and nests of myoepithelial cells. A diagnosis of PA (benign mixed tumor) was confirmed. CONCLUSION Blunt dissection is indicated to preserve the cosmesis and function of the upper lip.