2021 Volume 114 Issue 12 Pages 929-935
Adenoid cystic carcinoma is known as one of the malignant carcinomas included in the WHO Classification of Salivary Gland Tumors. Despite its slow-growing nature, it is often associated with local recurrence and distant metastasis. Herein, we report a case of sublingual gland carcinoma that was diagnosed during pregnancy.
The patient was a 32-year-old pregnant woman, with a 3-year history of tongue numbness and atrophy, the cause of which had remained undiagnosed despite detailed examination.
Pregnancy in the patient had been established through infertility treatment. The patient developed fatigue and abdominal symptoms during the mid-trimester of pregnancy, and detailed examination revealed the diagnosis of sublingual adenoid cystic carcinoma with multiple distant metastases.
Although the patient received systemic chemotherapy, her general condition deteriorated and emergency caesarean section was performed at 24 weeks of pregnancy.
She died 6 days after the caesarean section, while her baby is now receiving care at the NICU.
The findings of this case are consistent with the characteristics of adenoid cystic carcinoma. Considering the symptoms, it is assumed that she had paralyses of the lingual and hypoglossal nerves. It is estimated that 1 in every 1000 pregnant women is diagnosed as having carcinoma, but to the best of our knowledge, there are no reports until date of fatal sublingual adenoid cystic carcinoma diagnosed during pregnancy. It is considered that the pregnancy induced a state of immune tolerance, promoting growth of the cancer cells and rapid exacerbation.
Since there are few cases of head and neck malignant carcinomas diagnosed during pregnancy, and there are no established guidelines for cancer management during pregnancy, it is important to publish case reports.
