Adenocarcinoma of the sublingual gland: case report and 50 year review of the literature.

Primary adenocarcinoma arising in the sublingual gland is extremely rara, accounting for six cases reported in extensive survey of the literature for the period of 1930 to 1981. A case of adenocarcinoma of the sublingual gland is documented, demonstrating a highly malignant nature of the disease. This neoplasm possesses particular therapeutic problems owing to the relative lack of symptoms and the delay of initial medical observation after the onset of symptoms.