Gigantic Tumour of the Submandibular Gland

Overview

The authors present the case of a 73-year-old female patient with a five-year growinggigantic tumour of the submandibular gland. Due to its size the tumour caused respiratory complaints,difficult swallowing, restricted mobility of the tongue and paresis of the r. marginalis n. VII.Despite considerable medical risk (IHD, hypertension, diabetes mellitus) radical resection of thetumour - an adenoid cystic carcinoma - was performed.Thepostoperative condition ensured a betterquality of life than during the preoperative period, although it was complicated by the developmentof a complete cervical fistula originating in the mesopharynx. Despite the favourable local finding,after six months pulmonary metastases were detected and the patient died ten months afteroperation.The authors discuss the problem of extensive tumours where the decision on the optimal proceduremust be individual.

Key words:
gigantic tumour, adenoid cystic carcinoma, submandibular gland, surgicaltreatment.