[Basal cell carcinoma of the parotid gland]

ABSTRACT

Basal cell carcinoma is a rare tumor mainly affecting major salivary glands, it's a low grade malignancy with cytological features of a basal cell adenoma but whose evolution indicates malignancy. We report the case of a 30 years old woman, who presented two years ago with a right parotid swelling gradually increasing. The computed tomographies [CT] show an ulcerative infiltrating tumor in the parotid gland extending locoregional lymph nodes. The evolution was marked by ulceration of the skin overlying the cervical lymph node with magma. The diagnosis was made on biopsy sample using morphological study, immunohistochemistry and radiological data. This tumor presents problems of differential diagnosis mainly with basal cell adenoma of the parotid gland. The high number of mitoses and infiltrative character on CT allowed to retain that diagnosis. Surgical treatment is sometimes coupled with adjuvant radiotherapy. The evolution is marked by frequent recurrences with rare metastasis. Basal cell carcinoma is usually of good prognosis and its diagnosis is histopathological