Primary intraosseous mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the maxilla

Abstract

SUMMARYPrimary intraosseous mucoepidermoid carcinoma (PIOC) is an infrequent malignancy of the head and neck that exhibits diverse biological behavior. The rareness of the location for a salivary gland tumor and the clinical and radiographic manifestations, suggestive of an odontogenic lesion often pose a diagnostic challenge. We hereby report such a unique case of central mucoepidermoid carcinoma that presented in an ambiguous manner, developing in the maxilla and intruding into the adjacent vital structures, adding a literature review.

Intraosseous mucoepidermoid carcinoma

“…It occurs mostly in women, with a greater prevalence at 40-50 years old 2 . An intraosseous MEC, also known as central MEC, is a very rare condition, accounting for 2-3% of all MECs reported 3 . This type of MEC occurs more often in the mandible, especially the posterior part 3 .…”

Intraosseous mucoepidermoid carcinoma: Outcome review

“…This disease affects individuals from the first to the seventh decades of life (most commonly the fourth or fifth decades) and almost is twice as common in women as in men. It most commonly presents in the posterior mandible . Mucoepidermoid carcinomas (MECs) comprise 5% to 10% of salivary gland tumors, and IMECs comprise only 2% to 3% of all MECs .…”

“…They have been associated with dental cysts and/or impacted teeth in up to 50% of cases, and several case reports suggest neoplastic transformation of the epithelial lining of an odontogenic cyst as an etiology . Due to the rarity of this condition, studies have been limited to case reports and reviews of institutional records . The mainstay of IMEC treatment is surgery, with occasional use of adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy.…”

“…It most commonly presents in the posterior mandible. 1,2 Mucoepidermoid carcinomas (MECs) comprise 5% to 10% of salivary gland tumors, and IMECs comprise only 2% to 3% of all MECs. 2 They typically are low grade and radiographically observed as unilocular or multilocular lesions.…”

“…2,4 Due to the rarity of this condition, studies have been limited to case reports and reviews of institutional records. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] The mainstay of IMEC treatment is surgery, with occasional use of adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy. No clear treatment paradigms exist to date.…”