Pleomorphic Adenoma - A Case Report on an Abnormal Mass

Rationale: Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is the most prevalent salivary gland tumour, accounting for 60%-80% of all benign salivary gland tumours, and frequently affects the parotid gland. Their epithelial and connective tissue origins can explain the 'pleomorphic' nature of tumours. This tumour is most common in women between 30 and 50 years.

Patient Concerns: A 45-year-old female came with the chief complaint of a slow-growing, painless swelling on the left side of her face that had been present for 25 years.

Diagnosis: PA of the parotid gland was diagnosed using computed tomography and fine-needle aspiration cytology. PA is a slowly progressing, asymptomatic swelling that rarely exceeds 6 cm in its greatest dimension; in our case, it was 13 cm × 10 cm and weighed 5 kg.

Treatment: The ideal management is the surgical removal of the tumour mass, which was done under general anaesthesia. Early diagnosis and treatment planning was critical. Complete removal of the tumour without remnants is crucial to prevent a recurrence. Total parotidectomy was done in this case.

Outcomes: There was no evidence of recurrence after comprehensive local surgical resection of the tumour during the follow-up period.

Take-away Lessons: This case report is significant as it sheds light on the successful treatment approach for a large pleomorphic adenoma. It can provide valuable insights into the management of similar cases, potentially leading to improved patient outcomes and guiding future treatment strategies.