Nasopharyngeal adenoid cystic carcinoma, suggestion of therapeutic innovations: A case report and review of literature

• Published in: Annals of medicine and surgery 2018-06, Vol.30, p.32-35
• Main Authors: Tatari, Mohamed Moutaa, Anajar, Said, Hassnaoui, Jawad, Lahjaouj, Meryem, Salama, Khadija, Rouadi, Sami, Abada, Reda, Roubal, Mohammed, Mahtar, Mohammed
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adenoid cyst carcinoma; Case Report; Nasopharynx; Neuronavigation system; Surgery
• ISSN: 2049-0801; 2049-0801
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2018.04.004

Nasopharyngeal adenoid cystic carcinoma is a rare tumor. Compared with others nasopharyngeal tumors, it is characterised by slow evolution but it is locally aggressive and has a high tendency to recurrences. Due to the rarity of cases, no consensus exists about treatment approaches. We report the case of a 55-year-old-woman, with a locally advanced adenoid cystic carcinoma. The patient was operated by endoscopic surgery, received radiation and had a good objective response. The follow-up showed no local recurrence after one year. The aim of this work is to review the literature concerning this rare malignancy, and discusses treatment approaches in initial situations and during recurrences. We supported the interest of the intraoperative neuronavigation system for surgical safety. •Adenoid cystic carcinoma is a malignancy of the salivary glands.•Nasopharyngeal adenoid cystic carcinoma is a rare tumor.•It is characterised by slow evolution but it is locally aggressive and has a high tendency to recurrences.•Endoscopic transnasal biopsy is required.•Optimal treatment requires surgical resection and adjuvant radiation therapy.•Neuronavigation systems offer the potential to improve extent of resection and patient safety for surgical safety.