Accidental detection of asymptomatic clinically suspicious lesions is a common occurrence in routine clinical examination of the oral cavity. In certain cases, these lesions may mimic benign lesions further adding to confusion. In this case report, we have discussed the case of a 51-year-old male patient with an asymptomatic palatal mass which was detected during a routine dental check-up and subsequently confirmed to be an adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) arising from the minor salivary glands. The patient underwent right partial maxillectomy followed by radiation therapy and has been disease-free for 6 years and is on follow-up. ACC is a malignant tumour of the salivary glands commonly occurring in the palate, characterized by a slow indolent growth phase, with a high predilection for late recurrences which can be local or systemic. This article describes the importance of recognizing this clinical entity as a differential diagnosis in the evaluation of asymptomatic palatal lesions to enable early diagnosis and institution of appropriate treatment to successfully treat the disease.
Keywords: Adenoid cystic carcinoma; maxillectomy; metastasis; radiation therapy.