[Malignant oncocytoma of the submandibular gland]

Abstract

Case report on a malignant oncocytoma of the glandula submandibularis in a 56-year old female patient. Oncocytomas in otorhinolaryngology are very rare, mostly benign tumours appearing mainly in women between 60 and 90 years of age. They comprise oncocytes, which are epithelial cells with abnormally formed cytoplasm. Oncocytes have an acidophilic granular cytoplasm. Electron microscopy reveals a pronounced increase of hypertrophic mitochondria. Besides the benign variants there are also rare cases of malignant forms. Therapy consists of surgical resection.