Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the palate in a 5-year-old girl: case report and literature review

Abstract

For differential diagnosis, MEC should be considered in cases of soft, slow-growing, painless, pale bluish-purple lumps of the palate even in young patients. Especially for nonresponders to initial treatment, early biopsy is recommended for histological confirmation or exclusion of a minor salivary gland tumor.

Reconstruction of partial maxillectomy defect with a buccal fat pad flap and application of 4-hexylresorcinol: a case report

“…MEC is composed of various types of cells including mucous-producing, squamous, and intermediate1. Low-grade MEC has abundant mucous-producing cells, cystic structures, and few squamous cells3. Intermediate-grade MEC is histologically between low-grade and high-grade MEC and has fewer cysts and more prominent intermediate cells with a minor degree of mitotic activity and cellular atypia1.…”

“…High-grade MEC has local infiltration and grows aggressively, similar to squamous cell carcinoma4. Radiologically, high-grade MEC has irregular, poorly-defined margins and infiltrative adjacent tissue, while low-grade MEC demonstrates a well-delineated mass similar to a benign tumor3.…”

“…The MEC treatment varies based on the tumor location, clinical stage, and histological grade3. If MEC occurs in the parotid gland, a parotidectomy is performed, and the facial nerve will be excised413.…”

“…The tumor can occur in the minor salivary gland of the lip, buccal mucosa, retromolar region, or tongue and floor of the mouth, but the most frequently involved site is the hard palate2. MEC of the hard palate presents as an asymptomatic, fixed, slow-growing swollen area, sometimes appearing red or blue in color, is fluctuant and ulcerative, and invades the underlying bone3. MEC is categorized as either low, intermediate, or high based on histology1.…”

“…Low-grade MEC is generally slow growing and benign, while high-grade MEC is more aggressive, invades the tissue, and metastasizes 4. Treatment of low-grade MEC is wide local resection with a tumor-free margin3. When low-grade MEC arises in the hard palate, the tumor is resected along with the involved palate mucosa and any underlying bone5.…”