A Case of Cystadenocarcinoma Misdiagnosed as a Benign Tumor

ABSTRACT

Cystadenocarcinoma of the salivary gland is a rare malignant tumor. It was first defined as papillary cystadenocarcinoma in the 1991 World Health Organization (WHO) classification, and it was reclassified as cystadenocarcinoma in the 2005 WHO classification. It is a low-grade neoplasm that features slow growing and predominantly cystic growth. We report a case of cystadenocarcinoma occurring on the parotid gland of a 61-year-old female patient presenting palpable mass on her left cheek. Preoperative examination may not reveal typical malignant characteristics. Such as in our case, the differential diagnosis between cystadenocarcinoma and benign lesion is difficult occasionally. We discuss the clinical and histopathological features of cystadenocarcinoma with the review of the literature.