Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the upper airway mimicking a thyroid tumor: A case report

Abstract

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignant tumor, reportedly representing <1% of all head and neck cancers. There have been few reported cases of ACC of the upper airway presenting as a midline mass. This is the case report of a 47-year-old female patient who presented with such a midline neck mass. The mass was approached and investigated as a thyroid mass, but was ultimately found to be a tracheal tumor with thyroid invasion. We herein discuss in detail the patient history, investigation and treatment.