# A Case of Synchronous Bilateral Canalicular Adenoma and Polymorphous Adenocarcinoma of the Minor Salivary Glands of the Upper Lip

## TL;DR

A 76-year-old woman had four lumps on her upper lip, diagnosed as two polymorphous adenocarcinomas and two canalicular adenomas, showing rare synchronous tumors in minor salivary glands.

## Contribution

The paper presents a rare case of synchronous bilateral canalicular adenoma and polymorphous adenocarcinoma in minor salivary glands of the upper lip.

## Key findings

- Two medial lesions were polymorphous adenocarcinomas and two lateral lesions were canalicular adenomas.
- The case emphasizes the need for thorough biopsies to identify multiple coexisting salivary gland pathologies.
- Patient demographics align with those reported in the literature for similar rare salivary gland tumors.

## Abstract

Multiple salivary gland tumours can occur in both major and minor salivary glands. Its histology can be greatly varied and include pleomorphic adenoma, canalicular adenoma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma, or polymorphous adenocarcinoma, amongst other pathologies.

A 76-year-old lady was referred on a two-week-wait pathway to our oral and maxillofacial surgery department complaining of a one-year history of painless lumps in her upper lip, which were gradually increasing in size. Examination in the clinic revealed four distinct lumps in the upper lip that were firm on palpation but mobile. Histopathological examination revealed the two medial lesions to be polymorphous adenocarcinomas and the two lateral lesions to be canalicular adenomas.

Whilst our case represents uncommon pathologies, our patient’s demographics are typical of others in the literature. This highlights the importance of adequate biopsies to gain a representative sample, as well as awareness that multiple salivary gland pathologies can synchronously exist.