Mucoepidermoid carcinoma arising in an intraparotid lymph node

Abstract

A well‐differentiated mucoepidermoid carcinoma that was confined to, and apparently arose within, an intraparotid lymph node is reported. Salivary gland ducts and acini often are found within intraparotid lymph nodes, and occasionally within extraparotid nodes. Salivary gland tumors, both benign and malignant, can develop within this ectopic salivary tissue. When a malignant salivary‐gland‐type neoplasm is found within an intraparotid or periparotid lymph node, the possibility exists that the tumor has arisen within the node and does not necessarily represent a metastasis from some other occult site.

Primary Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma Arising from Ectopic Salivary Tissue within an Intraparotid Lymph Node

“…In 1985, Smith et al [ 1 ] reported a rare, and rather interesting, case of MEC arising in an intraparotid lymph node. They described a 42-year-old, Hispanic male who presented complaining of a mass in the left parotid region.…”

“…After superficial parotidectomy, the microscopic examination revealed a low-grade MEC confined entirely to the lymph node, with normal surrounding parotid tissue. The postoperative period was uneventful and one-year follow-up revealed no recurrence of the disease [ 1 ].…”

“…Heterotopic salivary tissue can be found in many sites, and most importantly intraparotid, periparotid, and upper cervical lymph nodes [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]. Noteworthy, a malignant neoplasm arising from such tissue may provoke a quest to hunt for an unknown primary lesion, especially when it arises within a lymph node.…”

“…Ectopic salivary gland tissue can be found in many sites including the soft tissue of the neck, the middle ear, the mastoid, and pituitary region [ 1 , 2 ]. Of particular clinical relevance, ectopic salivary tissue can even be found in intraparotid, paraparotid, and upper cervical lymph nodes [ 3 , 4 ].…”

“…Such salivary tissue may give rise to many neoplasms. In fact, Warthin tumor is the most common tumor arising from ectopic salivary gland tissue within intraparotid lymph nodes [ 1 , 2 ].…”