Pleomorphic adenoma of the lateral side of the tongue

Abstract

Pleomorphic adenoma is histopathologically the commonest tumor found in the major salivary glands. Pleomorphic adenoma originating from the tongue is very rare: only 26 cases have been reported in the world literature since 1960, only 2 of which originated from Ebner's gland. Herein we report the case of a 54-year-old female with pleomorphic adenoma of the tongue. The tumor was in contact with the molars. A partial glossectomy was performed with a surgical margin, as the preoperative pathological finding in the tissue specimen taken from the tumor was epithelial hyperplasia. The postoperative pathological diagnosis was pleomorphic adenoma with hyperplasia. It is unclear whether the teeth being in contact with the tumor caused tumorigenesis in this case. This case suggests that pleomorphic adenoma of the tongue originating from Ebner's gland should be considered in the differential diagnosis of lesions of the tongue.