Uncommon Presentation of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma in the Parotid Gland: A Case Report

Adenoid cystic carcinoma is a rare form of cancer that primarily affects the salivary glands, although it can also occur in various other tissues, including the breast, skin, cervix and prostate. This malignancy is characterised by its slow growth and distinctive histological patterns, often presenting as a painless mass in the affected area. It is most commonly diagnosed in adults aged 40 to 60 years, with a slight predominance in females. The tumour is known for its potential to recur locally and metastasise, primarily to the lungs, although it rarely spreads to regional lymph nodes. Diagnosis typically involves a combination of medical history review, physical examination, imaging studies such as ultrasound, Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and biopsy of the tumour tissue. The biopsy reveals the tumour’s histological characteristics, which are crucial for diagnosis. This is a case of a 65-year-old male who presented with a primary complaint of preauricular swelling for two months. The swelling was diagnosed as a low-grade malignant tumour of adenoid cystic carcinoma based on Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC). The patient was managed with surgical excision followed by adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy.