Malignant pleomorphic adenoma (malignant mixed tumor) of the trachea. Report of a case

Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma of the trachea: A case report

BACKGROUND

Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (CXPA) is defined as a malignant salivary gland tumor arising from a primary or recurrent pleomorphic adenoma. Only three cases of CXPA of the trachea have been reported in the literature.

CASE SUMMARY

We report a case of tracheal CXPA in a 55-year-old woman, who presented with a more than 3-mo history of progressive dyspnea. Computed tomography of the neck and thorax revealed an inhomogeneous, broad-based lesion arising from the tracheal wall on the right side. Endoscopy revealed a subglottic neoplasm causing up to 90% luminal stenosis. The tumor was resected using a high-frequency electrosurgical snare combined with argon plasma coagulation. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry revealed that the tumor was a CXPA of the trachea.

CONCLUSION

We report the fourth case of tracheal CXPA, and present the first instance of resection of CXPA using high-frequency electrosurgical snare and laser ablation. We also discuss the pathogenesis, diagnosis, histopathology, and systemic therapy of this rare disease.

Pleomorphic adenoma of the trachea

Pleomorphic adenoma in the trachea is very rare. We report the case of a 46-year-old woman who had been treated for asthma for 12 months before the diagnosis of pleomorphic adenoma of the trachea was made. The tumour was defined by fiberoptic bronchoscopy in the mid 1/3 of the trachea obstructing nearly 90 % of the lumen. Through a collar incision and partial sternotomy, 3 cm segment of the trachea was resected and end-to-end anastomosis was performed.

Carcinoma ex-pleomorphic adenoma of the breast. Report of three cases suggesting a relationship to metaplastic carcinoma of matrix-producing type

Three cases of carcinoma ex-pleomorphic adenoma of the breast are reported. Patients were 82, 60 and 56 years old and presented with a breast lump. All tumours showed areas of pleomorphic adenoma adjacent to typical areas of malignant transformation. These cases add to the spectrum of tumours shared by breast and salivary gland. The relationship between these neoplasms and metaplastic carcinoma of matrix-producing type is discussed.