Goodlettsville Dental Services

Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is the most common type of salivary gland malignancy in children.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma can also be found in other organs. It has been rarely reported in the lacrimal sac and thyroid as well as other more common locations.

Mucicarmine staining is one stain used by pathologist for detection.

Images

Histopathologic image of mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the major salivary gland. H & E stain.

 

Histopathologic image of mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the major salivary gland. The same lesion as shown in a filename 'Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (2) HE stain.jpg'. H & E stain.

 

Histopathologic image of mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Postoperative recurrence of the submandibular tumor. Alcian blue-PAS stain.

Presents as painless, slow-growing mass that is firm or hard. Most appear clinically as mixed tumors. Occurs in adults. with peak incidence from 20-40 years of age.

Histology

This tumor is not encapsulated and is characterized by squamous cells, mucus-secreting cells, and intermediate cells.

Generally, there is a good prognosis for low-grade tumors, and a poor prognosis for high-grade tumors.