A monomorphic adenoma of the minor salivary glands presenting at the base of the tongue: a case report and review of the literature

A case of a monomorphic adenoma of the minor salivary glands situated at the base of the tongue in a 49-year-old female is reported. The patient had a prolonged clinical course of eight years' duration. The histopathologic, immunohistologic and ultra-structural findings are described. A review of the literature concerning minor salivary gland tumors and their location in the oral cavity is presented. This is the first case, to our knowledge, of a monomorphic adenoma presenting at the base of the tongue. The difficulties in its diagnosis are discussed specifically in regard to its location.