Central mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the mandible: A case report

Abstract

Introduction. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma, compared to other tumors of salivary glands, occurs in 5-10% of cases. Histopathologically, it is divided into a well differentiated tumor that is of low-grade of malignancy, and a medium and poorly differentiated tumor of high grade of malignancy. Central mucoepidermoid carcinoma (CMEC) of the mandible was firstly described by Lepp in 1936, on a 66-year-old female patient. CMEC is characterized by atypical clinical image and radiological manifestation. Case Outline. A 55-year-old female patient was examined at the Clinic of Dentistry in Nis, Serbia, with anamnestic data regarding the presence of painless swelling in the right side of the mandible. Considering the histopathological results and presence of enlarged lymph nodes, right hemimandibulectomy and tumour excision from pterygomandibular space followed by supraomohyoid neck dissection was done. In due course, postoperative radiotherapy was applied (60 Gy). Conclusion. CMEC represents a rare tumor, characterized by local tissue destruction and ability to metastasize. Initial biopsy represented the key in preoperative planing. Radical excision with neck lymph node dissection followed by postoperative radiotherapy in our case represent a successful method of treating CMEC of the mandible.