A case of adenoid cystic carcinoma arising at the circumvallate papilla of the tongue

Abstract

We report a rare case of adenoid cystic carcinoma arising at the circumvallate papilla of the tongue. The patient was 66-year-old woman presenting with swelling of the base of the tongue. Biopsy was performed. The histopathological diagnosis was adenoid cystic carcinoma. The tumor was excised by means of an intraoral translingual approach with lateral pharyngotomy. Neither radiotherapy nor chemotherapy was performed. There has been no evidence of recurrence or metastasis for 8 months after surgical treatment.