Central Maxillary Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma: A Case Report.

Objectives Salivary gland tumors account for 3%-4% of all head and neck cancers, with mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) being the most common type of salivary gland malignancy observed in adults. Intraosseous MEC, which originates in the jaws, is exceedingly rare. It is predominantly found in the posterior part of mandible and typically affects individuals aged 30-50, with a slight female predilection. Case: A 50-year-old female patient presented with a chief complaint of mild swelling on the left side of palate. The patient did not report any difficulties in swallowing, chewing, or breathing. There was no history of pain, discharge, or bleeding associated with the swelling. During the physical examination, the patient appeared to be in good health. Intra-oral examination revealed a well-circumscribed, pale pink, oval, smooth, sessile, non-tender, and non-mobile nodule measuring 1.0 * 0.6 cm2 in size. Radiographic findings showed an expansile radiolucent lesion with thinning and perforation of the buccal and palatal cortices, as well as an elevation in the maxillary sinus floor. Conclusion A rare case of central MEC (CMEC) in the maxilla was presented in this article. The clinical presentation of CMEC in the maxilla can pose challenges in the initial diagnosis, as it may resemble benign lesions, as observed in this case. Therefore, caution is advised in diagnosing CMEC, regardless of the lesion's location, in order to establish a timely and accurate diagnosis and initiate appropriate treatment, even if the clinical features do not strongly indicate malignancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]