A case of sclerosing microcystic adenocarcinoma of the tongue: Case report and literature review.

Sclerosing microcystic adenocarcinoma (SMA) is a rare, low-grade salivary gland tumor primarily affecting mucosal sites of the head and neck. We present the case of a 53-year-old woman with an 18-month history of a painless submucosal mass on the anterior tongue. MRI revealed a 14 × 15 × 10 mm ill-defined lesion with isosignal intensity to muscle on T2 weighted images and vivid contrast enhancement. Histopathological analysis following surgical excision confirmed SMA, characterized by perineural and muscular invasion, and a close surgical margin necessitated re excision. The patient remains disease-free at twelfth months postoperatively. A review of 25 previously reported cases highlights the tumor's indolent clinical course despite locally aggressive features. No recurrence or metastasis has been reported to date. Excisional biopsy is recommended due to the diagnostic limitations of small samples. While further studies are needed, based on the current evidence conservative surgical management could be justified. Decision regarding routine neck dissection or adjuvant therapy should be individualized, taking into account tumor extent and patient related factors.