Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma With Extensive Mandibular Destruction

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is a malignant neoplasm observed in the salivary glands. Man, 51, on a radiographic evaluation demonstrated a radiolucent area with irregular borders on the right side of the mandible, in the angle-ramus region, that had been present for 2 years. The tumor caused perforation of the cortical bone extending to the adjacent tissues. The patient's symptoms were trismus and orofacial pain. The clinical diagnosis suggested was osteosarcoma. Biopsy results were sent to the anatomopathology laboratory of Bauru School of Dentistry, university of São Paulo, for histopathological analysis. Microscopically, cystic formations and neoplastic epithelial cells were observed, some with epidermoid aspects and others with clear cytoplasm. The clear cells retained PAS positivity and were found closely associated with the trabecular bone of the mandible. Histopathological results established a diagnosis of mucoepidermoid carcinoma, and the patient was referred for treatment of his head and neck cancer. Supported by CNPq:133509/2012-5.