Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the lung: a case report

Abstract

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the lung (MEC) is a tumor of low malignant potential of bronchial gland origin. MEC and adenoid cystic carcinoma are both considered to be salivary gland-type neoplasms. MECs are comparatively rare with an incidence of all lung cancers. We recently encountered a case of this type of lung cancer. A 60-year-old man was found to have an abnormal shadow in the left lower lung field on a regular check-up for lung cancer at his company. Chest radiography and CT revealed a mass shadow measuring 30 mm in diameter in the left lower lung field. Bronchoscopy revealed a protuberant tumor in the S9 bronchus, leading to a diagnosis of low-grade MEC by transbronchial lung biopsy. He underwent left lower lobe resection and mediastinal lymph node dissection using VATS. Tumor cells had a scattering of mucus-producing epithelial components in papillary growth of stratified squamous epithelia with anisokaryosis and minimal pleomorphism, indicating a diagnosis of MEC. Because the postoperative course was good and the tumor was low-grade, no adjuvant treatment was administered. The patient has had no signs of tumor recurrence for 9 months, to date, since resection of the tumor

A rarely seen mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the left main bronchus

“…Most of the cases are admitted with symptoms such as cough, dyspnea, wheezing, and obstructive pneumonia. [1,2] Pain, weight loss, and other general illness symptoms and findings are seen in aggressive and diffuse diseases. [1,2] MECs usually arise from the central and segmentary bronchi, and the symptoms are related to that region.…”

“…[1,2] Pain, weight loss, and other general illness symptoms and findings are seen in aggressive and diffuse diseases. [1,2] MECs usually arise from the central and segmentary bronchi, and the symptoms are related to that region. [1] In the radiological images, atelectasis and obstructive pneumonia findings in the distal part of the bronchus are typical.…”

“…[1,2] MECs usually arise from the central and segmentary bronchi, and the symptoms are related to that region. [1] In the radiological images, atelectasis and obstructive pneumonia findings in the distal part of the bronchus are typical. The tumors may also be seen as nodular and cavitary lesions.…”

“…MEC was first described in 1952 by Smetana. [1] In the World Health Organization's histological classification of lung tumors, MECs belong in the main group of malignant epithelial tumors and the subgroup of salivary gland tumors. Histologically, they are classified as low-grade and high-grade.…”

“…[1][2][3][4] Although, they can be found in people from all age ranges (3 to 78 years -old), they usually are seen in people who are in their 30s and 40s. MECs are usually low-grade tumors rather than benign neoplasms, the term "bronchial adenoma" is a miscall and should be excluded, and good prognosis can be obtained by surgical resection.…”