Nasopharyngeal polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma in a patient with nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenoma

B-ENT. 2010;6(1):59-62.

Abstract

Background: Polymorphous low grade adenocarcinoma (PLGA) is a rare malignant neoplasm of the minor salivary glands occurring in the fifth and sixth decade with a 2:1 female predominance. The nasal cavity is involved in less than 1% of cases. The incidence of clinically recognisable pituitary adenoma is 15 cases/million/year. The prevalence of non-functioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA) is estimated to be 70-90 cases/million. Both types of adenoma represent 20-45% of pituitary tumours.

Case report: The report describes the first case of PLGA associated with NFPA, both incidentally diagnosed. Three months after the exeresis of the NFPA using a trans-sphenoidal approach, an endoscopic resection of the PLGA was performed. No recurrence was observed during a 13 months follow-up.

Conclusions: Complete surgical excision is the preferred management for PLGA. Radiotherapy has not been demonstrated to be effective in treating PLGA. The prognosis is good with a very low rate of metastasis and local recurrence.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Adenocarcinoma / surgery*
  • Adenoma / pathology
  • Adenoma / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / pathology
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / surgery*
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / pathology
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / surgery*