Central mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the jaws: Report of four cases with analysis of the literature and discussion of the relationship to mucoepidermoid, sialodontogenic, and glandular odontogenic cysts

Abstract

Salivary gland tumors occurring intraosseously in the jaws are rare lesions. Although several histologic types, including mixed tumors,‘-3 trabecular adenoma,4 and adenoid cystic carcinoma’ have been reported, there is general agreement that mucoepidermoid carcinoma is the most common salivary gland tumor found in an intraosseous location. While its occurrence is generally considered to be uncommon, it may not be as rare as generally believed. In a recently reported study of 426 minor salivary gland tumors obtained from 11 different institutions,6 one of us (C.A.W.) noted 6 examples of intraosseous mucoepidermoid carcinoma. To our knowledge, none of these has been previously reported. A recent discussion regarding a consultation case prompted us to review the files of the Department of Oral Pathology, Emory University School of Postgraduate Dentistry and report 4 additional cases which have been accessioned since the report by Browand and Waldron in 1975.’ The subject of central mucoepidermoid carcinomas was more recently reviewed in 1983 by Grubka et al8 who restricted their review to mandibular lesions, and in 1984 Gingell et al9 who included both mandibular and maxillary cases. We have reviewed the English language literature and have noted five additional cases which have been reported’0-‘3 since the reviews of Grubka et al8 and