METASTASIZING MIXED TUMOR OF THE PAROTID-GLAND - A RARE TUMOR WITH UNUSUALLY RAPID PROGRESSION IN A CARDIAC TRANSPLANT RECIPIENT

We report the case of a 69-year-old man who had a mixed tumor (pleomor phic adenoma) removed from his parotid gland 3 years after orthotopic heart transplantation. Two years later, he presented with widely metas tatic mixed tumor, which resulted in his death within 6 months. Metast atic mixed tumor is histologically identical to a benign mixed tumor, but it inexplicably metastasizes. Such tumors are rare and have not be en reported to date in a transplant recipient. This case illustrates t he rapid and aggressive course that malignancies can follow in an immu nosuppressed population. Mixed tumors are common salivary neoplasms, s o transplant recipients should be carefully followed after resection f or evidence of metastatic spread.