Diagnóstico precoz del carcinoma mucoepidermoide. A propósito de un caso clínico

Abstract

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is defined as a epithelial malignant neoplasm of the salivary glands, characterised histopathologically by the proliferation of mucus-secreting, intermediate and epidermoid cells. It appears in major salivary glandes such as the parotid gland and when it affects the minor salivary glands, the palate is the most commonly affected site, although it can also be found at the level of the lower lip, floor of the mouth and retromolar trigone. The objective of this paper is to describe the case of a male patient of 67 years of age who came to the surgical service, presenting a lesion located in the right retromolar trigone of approximately 7 months of evolution. His medical history does not report any personal or family background of special importance. During the extraoral clinical examination, no pathological finding of interest was found; intraorally he presented a tumoral lesion with an irregular shape and smooth surface, located in the right retromolar trigone, of a dark red colour, soft consistency and tender to touch. A panoramic x-ray was requested in which no pathological finding was observed, for which reason an incisional biopsy was performed for its histopathological study. The histology revealed the presence of fragments with a malignant neoplastic proliferation in which clear cells of a mucous appearance, glandular structures and others with a certain cystic arrangement were recognised, as well as the presence of epithelial plaques of an epidermoid appearance, with intermediate cells and superficial mucous epithelium with parakeratosis, finally obtaining a definitive diagnosis of Mucoepidermoid carcinoma. MEC is considered an aggressive malignant neoplasm, which requires the monitoring of any suspicious lesion in order to be able to rule out or corroborate this entity.