Primary Ductal Her-2 Positive Adenocarcinoma of Salivary Gland: A Long Follow-Up Case Report and Review of the Literature

TL;DR

A rare case of Her-2 positive lacrimal gland cancer was successfully treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy, showing long-term survival.

Contribution

This case report provides a long-term follow-up of a rare cancer type and highlights the effectiveness of multimodal treatment.

Findings

The patient remained disease-free for 9 years after treatment.

Combination therapy with chemotherapy and HER2-targeted drugs showed a marked response.

Multimodal treatment and early diagnosis are crucial for managing this aggressive cancer.

Abstract

Background: Epithelial tumors of lacrimal glands are rare and primary ductal adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal gland accounts for only 2% of all epithelial lacrimal gland tumors. Considering its rarity and lack of uniform diagnostic criteria, treatment protocols are not well defined.

In this study, we describe a Her-2 positive case and review previously reported cases.

Methods: In 2012, a 42-year-old woman affected by primary ductal adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal gland was treated with transpalpebral anterior orbitotomy and adjuvant radiotherapy. In July 2013, she presented local relapse and she underwent orbital exenteration. In November 2013, for neck nodal progression, seven cycles of chemotherapy (cisplatin and epirubicin) associated with a humanized monoclonal antibody–targeting HER 2 therapy (trastuzumab and pertuzumab) were performed, with a marked response rate. Then, she underwent total parotidectomy with right neck lymphadenectomy and adjuvant hadrontherapy.

Results: Nine years later (113 months) after treatment completion, the patient was alive without disease and with acceptable toxicity.

Conclusions: In primary ductal adenocarcinoma of the lacrimal gland, early diagnosis and multimodal treatments could be crucial, considering its often aggressive tendency. Considering the lack of treatment guidelines, case report recording can be useful in patient management.

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