Basal cell adenoma of parotid gland: two case reports and literature review

Abstract

Most of salivary tumors are benign in nature and are typically diagnosed and classified based on their histopathological presentation. Basal cell adenoma of the salivary glands is a rare, benign disease accounting for 1% to 3% of salivary gland tumors. Despite its low incidence, basal cell adenoma is the third most common benign tumor of the salivary gland after pleomorphic adenoma and Warthin’s tumor. It usually appears as a firm and slow-growing mass. Due to the prognosis, differential diagnosis with basal cell adenocarcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma and basaloid squamous cell carcinoma is required. In this report, we present two cases; a 62-year-old woman who presented with an asymptomatic, and slow-growing mass and a 64-year-old woman with a static-sized mass in the parotid gland. In both cases, the mass was completely excised, postoperative pathology reports confirmed the diagnosis of basal cell adenoma. We also review the literature and discuss this rare entity. Abbreviations: BCA, basal cell adenoma; BCAC, basal cell adenocarcinoma; CT, computed tomography; FNA, fine needle aspiration; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging.