A case of mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the hard palate with calcifications

• Published in: Japanese Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Vol. 50; no. 6; pp. 392 - 395
• Main Authors: SHIMIZU, Maiko, TAJIMA, Toru, FUKUSHIMA, Masaki, ASHIZAWA, Ken, KUSAMA, Kaoru, SHIMADA, Jun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japanese Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons 20.06.2004
• Subjects: calcification; hard palate; mucoepidermoid carcinoma
• ISSN: 0021-5163; 2186-1579
• DOI: 10.5794/jjoms.50.392

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is a salivary gland neoplasm characterized by the coexistence of epidermoid cells, mucussecreting cells, and intermediate cells. Among the minor salivary glands, this carcinoma commonly arises in the palatal glands. In the present paper, we report a case of mucoepidermoid carcinoma with calcification that was examined microscopically. The patient was a 25-year-old man. He visited our hospital because of a swelling in the right side of the palate. The lesion had developed 6 years earlier and gradually increased in size. He was given a clinical diagnosis of palatal tumor and underwent partial resection of the maxilla under general anesthesia to excise the tumor. The tumor was diagnosed histopathologically as a mucoepidermoid carcinoma. There was an eosinophilic, homogenous substance in the interstitium of the tumor. Calcified materials with a lamellar structure were found in cysts and ducts in the tumor. Mucus and mucus-secreting cells in the tumor were deeply stained by mucicarmine, but not stained by Congo red. There has been no recurrence or metastasis of the tumor as of 12months after operation.