Case report
Poorly differentiated carcinoma arising from adenolymphoma of the parotid gland
1 Pathology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera S. Paolo and Ospedale Maggiore di Milano, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
2 Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Ospedale Maggiore di Milano, I.R.C.C.S., Milan, Italy
3 Department of Surgery, Ospedale Maggiore di Milano, I.R.C.C.S, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
4 Institute of General Clinical Medicine and Medical Therapy, Centre of Clinical Physiology and Hypertension, Ospedale Maggiore di Milano, I.R.C.C.S, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
BMC Surgery 2003, 3:1 doi:10.1186/1471-2482-3-1
Published: 17 January 2003Abstract
Background
There is only one previous case report of a poorly differentiated carcinoma arising from an adenolymphoma of the parotid gland (Warthin's tumour). The absence of clinical symptoms, and the aspecificity of the radiological pattern make the diagnosis very difficult.
Case presentation
We here report the case of a 73-year-old man with Warthin's tumour who was brought to our attention because of a swelling in the parotid region.
Conclusions
In this case with an atypical clinical presentation, the intra-operative examination of a frozen section of the parotid mass allowed us to diagnose the malignant tumour correctly and consequently undertake its radical excision.
