Salivary gland tumour of the lip: report of two cases and literature review.

Background: Salivary gland tumours (SGT'S) are uncommon. The minor glands are dispersed throughout the upper aerodigestive submucosa including the lip.

Objective: To present two case reports of salivary gland tumour of the upper lip and highlight its diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

Methods: A 50-year-old female farmer presented with a two year history of swelling of the upper lip and the histology revealed a pleomorphic adenoma of the minor salivary gland. She was offered a wide excision which resulted in a huge upper lip defect managed by a two staged lip switch ABBE flap. The second patient, a 40-year-old female teacher presented with a 10 year history of a left sided upper lip swelling. Histology revealed pleomorphic adenoma. She was offered an excision with no evidence of recurrence after 26 months of follow up.

Conclusions: Salivary gland tumours should be considered as a differential diagnosis of tumours of the lip: Early presentation is advocated as late presentation with advanced tumour presents diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.