Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma Is This You?

Abstract

Aims: Mucoepidermoid carcinoma(MEC) is a malignant tumor which mixture of epidermoid and mucous cells originating from the ductal epithelium of the salivary glands. These cases aim to represent three mucoepidermoid carcinoma in different clinical courses. Materials and Methods: The first patient, 86-year-old, was referred to our clinic with a swelling at left mouth floor and referred with squamous-cell-carcinoma(SCC) pre-diagnosis. The biopsy reported as MEC(Intermediate/High-grade). The second patient, 66-year-old, smoker, visited our clinic with bleeding scar at palatina and referred with SCC pre-diagnosis. Histopathological diagnosis indicated as proliferative verrucous leukoplakia. The biopsy repeated because of recurrence and reported as low- grade MEC. The third patient, 74-year-old, diagnosed with high-grade MEC because of fixed mass in the right mouth floor six years ago. One-year later, radiological changes detected around right upper second molar, suspected as recurrence and biopsy planned. The specimen reported as well- differentiated SCC. Results: In every cases, specific imaging methods should be prefered with histopathological examination for a better diagnosis. In our cases we prefered magnetic resonance imaging, contrast- enhanced computed tomography and positron emission tomography with histopathologic evaluation. Then, all patients were referred to otorhinolaryngology for operation and to oncology service to get radiotherapy. Unfortunately, the first patient passed away one-year later. Conclusion: Clinical examination with radiological assesment may lead us misdiagnosis. In these cases, we clearly see some malignancies can confuse clinicians even pathologs. That’s why we need to asses clinic, radiologic and pathologic evidences together and always should be ready for unexpected.