Mucoepidermoid carcinoma on dorsum of tongue: An unusual presentation in Nigerian patient

Abstract

The aim of this study was to report an unusual presentation of mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) on the dorsum of tongue and to add to the body of knowledge on the various sites of occurrence of the lesion. MEC is a malignant, locally invasive tumor of salivary glands composed of varying proportions of mucussecreting and squamous cells, with the presence of intermediate cell differentiation between these other two cell types. More than half of reported cases involve major salivary glands and it is seen rarely on the dorsum of tongue. We present an unusual case of a low-grade MEC on the dorsum of tongue of a 40-year-old man. Discussion on clinical and microscopic types and immunohistochemical features of this tumor is presented in relation to pertinent literature. Biologic behavior and clinical manifestations of MEC usually correlate with its histological grade, which are required for appropriate treatment.