A Rare Case of a Nasopharyngeal Pleomorphic Adenoma Mimicking a Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common benign pathology of the major salivary gland but rare in the minor salivary gland, especially in the nasopharynx, with only a few cases reported in the literature. A 76-year-old lady presented with bilateral nasal blockage for one year secondary to a nasopharyngeal mass. Histopathological examination reported it to be nasopharyngeal carcinoma, but the mass persisted after a course of chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy. Upon repeat biopsy, the mass was found to be a pleomorphic adenoma. The patient underwent nasopharyngectomy without complications and no evidence of recurrence after 18 months of follow-up.