Pleomorphic Adenoma of the Left Submandibular Gland in a Female Patient. Case Report

Salivary gland neoplasms represent less than 5% of head and neck tumors, with pleomorphic adenoma being the most frequent benign neoplasm. It has a higher incidence in the parotid gland (60–70%) and in the submandibular gland (10%), with a 6% risk of malignancy. Its etiology is multifactorial, including genetic predisposition, radiation, and exposure to carcinogens. Clinically, it presents as a slow-growing, painless, and well-defined mass. Diagnosis is based on imaging studies and complemented with fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB), which in this case classified the lesion as Milan 4a. We present a 59-year-old female patient with a 20 cm submandibular tumor, without invasion of adjacent structures, managed with complete surgical resection. The postoperative course was favorable, and the histopathological study confirmed pleomorphic adenoma with no signs of malignancy. Surgery is the treatment of choice to prevent recurrences or malignant transformation, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and appropriate surgical planning.