Mucoepidermoid carcinoma with bone communication: a case report with emphasis in clinical and histopathologic features

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is the most common malignant salivary gland tumor; however, the bone communication in this type of pathology is rare. We describe the case of a 32-year-old female patient with an asymptomatic lesion in anterior mandible incidentally discovered in routine radiographic examinations. A well-defined, unilocular radiolucent lesion in the right posterior mandible was found without dental involvement. The clinical diagnosis was odontogenic keratocyst, and incisional biopsy was performed. Microscopic examination revealed a malignant salivary gland tumor, consisting of mucous cells with broad and clear cytoplasm; epidermoid cells with polygonal shape, eosinophilic cytoplasm, and vesicle nuclei; and intermediate cells with scarce cytoplasm and hyperchromatic nucleus. Clinicopathologic characteristics led to the diagnosis of mucoepidermoid carcinoma. The patient was referred to the reference hospital of Rio Grande do Norte, where he underwent resection of the mandible and currently undergoes radiotherapy.