Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of Tongue - A Rare case report

Adenoid cystic carcinoma is a rare malignant neoplasm constituting 1 to 2 percent of head and neck malignancies of which 10 to 15 percent involve salivary gland. Most common occurrence is from minor salivary glands. The striking feature of the adenoid cystic carcinoma is its locally aggressive nature, perineural invasion, high recurrence rate and its potential of distant metastases commonly to lungs and bone. Histologically it shows predominantly cribriform pattern of growth and also solid and tubular patterns. Here we present a very rare case of adenoid cystic carcinoma involving dorsum of the tongue.