Intracapsular carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma. Report of a case with unusual metastatic behaviour.

Intracapsular carcinomas ex pleomorphic adenoma are exceedingly rare salivary glands tumours, known to have a benign clinical behaviour with metastatic unrecognised potential. We report a case of a 57-year-old female patient presenting with a typical example of intracapsular carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland and evidence of ipsilateral cervical lymph node metastases two years before. The behaviour of this unique case illustrates the disputed malignancy of carcinomas arising within encapsulated pleomorphic adenomas.