A Decade-long Giant Pleomorphic Adenoma in a Nigerian Female: Case Report and Review of Literature

Pleomorphic adenomas (PA) are the most common benign salivary gland tumors, typically presenting as painless, slow-growing masses. Delayed presentation, often due to fear of surgery or sociocultural factors, can lead to massive tumor growth, causing functional, aesthetic, and social challenges. We report a case of a 67-year-old Nigerian woman with a 10-year history of a giant, pedunculated parotid mass. Imaging and fine-needle aspiration cytology confirmed a diagnosis of PA. The patient underwent a successful superficial parotidectomy with facial nerve preservation. The excised tumor weighed 2.75 kg, and postoperative recovery was uneventful. This case highlights the potential for PA to reach enormous sizes when untreated and emphasizes the importance of early intervention to prevent complications. It also demonstrates the feasibility of superficial parotidectomy with facial nerve preservation, even in large tumors.