Transoral robotic surgery for parapharyngeal carcinoma ex-pleomorphic adenoma: A case report

Abstract

Background: Carcinoma ex-pleomorphic adenoma (Ca ex-PA) comprises 0.5% of head and neck neoplasms. Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) is an approach being used to treat a variety of benign and malignant head and neck neoplasms. Recently, this technique has gained popularity as an alternative for parapharyngeal space (PPS) tumor resection. To our knowledge, this is the first case of Ca ex-PA managed successfully by TORS of the PPS. Case: Fifty-nine-year-old male with incidental mass in PPS, initial diagnosis of pleomorphic adenoma, who underwent transoral robotic resection. The histopathology diagnosis with minimally invasive Ca ex-PA findings and malignant component of high-grade epithelial/myoepithelial carcinoma and salivary duct carcinoma. Patient discharged on the fifth post-operative day without complications. Conclusion: Based on our findings, TORS may be a safe procedure to remove selected Ca ex-PA from the PPS; however, further research is needed.