A Case of Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma Arising from the Intraoral Minor Salivary Gland

Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology 2017;33(1):39-41.
Published online May 30, 2017.

Hun Hee Baek;Seok Jung Hong;Mi Ji Lee;Seung Woo Kim

구강 내 소타액선에 발생한 점액표피양 암종 1예

백훈희;홍석정;이미지;김승우

Abstract

Salivary gland tumors comprise almost 5% of head and neck malignancies, and minor salivary gland tumor which account for 10-15% of all salivary gland neoplasm are infrequently malignant. The mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is second most common tumor in minor salivary gland. It usually presents as a painless, rubbery-hard or soft mass, which may be fixed or mobile into the underlying structure. The predilection sites of intraoral MEC are palate, cheek, mandible, lip, and tongue, etc. There are very few published reports of MEC occurred in retromolar trigone. Only one case has been reported so far. Recently, we experienced a-70-year old man with a mass in retromolar trigone, which was finally diagnosed as MEC. We report the unique case with literature review.

Key Words: Mucoepidermoid carcinoma, Minor salivary gland