Polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma

Polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma
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Polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma (PLGA) is a rare, asymptomatic, slow-growing malignant salivary gland tumor.<ref name=pmid19136798>,

 Polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma of parotid gland: a rare occurrence, 
 Indian J Pathol Microbiol, 
 2009,
 Vol. 52(Issue: 1),
 pp. 103–5,
 DOI: 10.4103/0377-4929.44985,
 PMID: 19136798,</ref> It is most commonly found in the palate.<ref name=pmid18327037>, 
 Polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma of the head and neck, 
 Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, 
 
 Vol. 16(Issue: 2),
 pp. 163–9,
 DOI: 10.1097/MOO.0b013e3282f70441,
 PMID: 18327037,</ref>

The name of the tumor derives from the fact that:

• It has a varied microscopic architectural appearance, i.e. it is polymorphous.
• It is non-aggressive when compared to other oral cavity tumors, i.e. it is a low-grade tumor.<ref name="pmid19136798"/>
• It forms glands, i.e. it is an adenocarcinoma.

It affects the minor salivary glands in the area between the hard and the soft palate. Male to female ratio is 3:1, and the average age is 56 years.

Histology

PLGAs consist of a monomorphous cell population that has a varied histologic morphology.

Microscopically, its histology can be confused with an adenoid cystic carcinoma and a pleomorphic adenoma.

• 
  Polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma. H&E stain.
• 
  Micrograph of a polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma. H&E stain.

Treatment

PLGAs are treated with wide local surgical excision and long-term follow-up.<ref name="pmid18327037"/> There is a recurrence rate of 14% (Peterson, contemporary of oral and maxillofacial surgery).

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