Adenoid cystic carcinomas are the malignant neoplasms that are originating from major and minor salivary glands. They are slowly growing, locally invasive malignant tumors and they potentially cause distant metastasis. They represent approximately 29% of all minor salivary gland tumors and the most common intraoral site is hard palate. Adenoid cystic carcinomas of tongue are rarely seen. Prognosis of adenoid cystic carcinomas of head and neck is better than the epithelial neoplasms of head and neck. We present a case of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the tongue which was treated with surgery and chemoradiotherapy, and brief literature review on its clinical, pathological and therapeutic aspects.
Keywords: Tongue base, carcinoma, adenoid cystic