Pleomorphic adenoma of buccal mucosa: a case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND Salivary gland neoplasms are rare, accounting for 3% to 5% of all head and neck tumors, and involvement of the minor salivary glands is uncommon. Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is the most common benign neoplasm, which mainly affects the parotid gland. However, involvement of the cheek mucosa is very rare. OBJECTIVE This study reports a case of PA in the cheek mucosa. In addition, the etiopathogenesis, clinical and morphological features and differential diagnoses of PA are discussed, emphasizing the importance of knowledge about the characteristics of this tumor for a correct diagnosis. CASE REPORT A 50-year-old woman presented with a nodular lesion of endophytic growth in the left cheek mucosa. The lesion was small and well-delimited and had a normal mucosa color and intact surface. An excisional biopsy of the lesion was performed, and the diagnosis was PA. CONCLUSION Although the occurrence of PA in the minor salivary glands of the cheek mucosa is uncommon, the early establishment of a correct diagnosis and initiation of appropriate treatment are important because they permit effective management of the condition and improvement in the prognosis of patients.