Basal cell adenoma of minor salivary gland origin

Abstract

Review of a series of minor salivary gland tumors revealed the presence of three previously unreported basal cell adenomas. This brings the number of cases of basal cell adenoma of minor salivary gland origin to 11. Analysis of these cases revealed that the upper lip is the favored site of occurrence, and that the mean age of these patients at the time of diagnosis of their tumors is about 63 years. The most common morphological variant of basal cell adenoma reported in minor salivary glands is the canalicular type. The histologic differences between the canalicular variant of basal cell adenoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma, with which the adenoma may be confused, are described.