Early stage adenoid cystic carcinoma of the posterior nasal septum: a rare manifestation

Abstract

Adenoid cystic carcinomas are rare malignant tumors that commonly arise from major and minor salivary glands and are characterized by slow growth, frequent local recurrences, and high incidence of distant metastasis, especially reported in patients with advanced stage tumors. Adenoid cystic carcinomas can rarely occur in other areas of the head and neck region, notably in the nasal cavity. Moreover, adenoid cystic carcinoma limited to the nasal septum is particularly unusual and has been the subject of a small number of published cases only. We discuss here a case of a 42 year-old woman diagnosed with early stage adenoid cystic carcinoma of the posterior nasal septum, treated solely with surgical resection via endoscopic approach. During five years of follow-up, no local recurrence or distant metastasis has been detected.