Canalicular Adenoma of the Upper Lip: A Rare Case Report

Canalicular adenoma is a rare benign neoplasm of the minor salivary glands, most commonly affecting elderly patients and frequently located on the upper lip. Due to its slow growth and asymptomatic nature, it is often misdiagnosed or overlooked. The aim of the present article was to present and discuss the diagnosis and surgical management of a case of canalicular adenoma of the upper lip. We report the case of a 70-year-old female patient who presented to her general practitioner with a long-standing, asymptomatic swelling of the upper labial mucosa. The lesion, initially disregarded by the patient, had been present for several years. Clinical examination revealed a soft, slightly mobile, violaceous nodule on the inner aspect of the upper lip. The patient was fully edentulous and wore complete upper and lower removable dentures. The patient was referred to the Dentistry Department where the lesion was surgically excised after a partial thickness mucosal flap was elevated. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of canalicular adenoma. The present case highlights the importance of considering canalicular adenoma in the differential diagnosis of labial mucosal swellings, particularly in elderly, edentulous patients. Accurate diagnosis relies on histological analysis, and complete surgical excision is curative.