Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma of Parotid Gland

Abstract

Objectives: Present a case of mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the left parotid gland, which has been removed surgically. Methods: A thirty-five year-old gentleman presented with swelling of the left cheek for 6 months. The swelling was gradually increasing and painless; the patient had facial weakness since childhood. A swelling 3x2 cm was seen in the parotid area, which was normothermic, non-tender, firm in consistency, not fluctuant, and fixed to the skin. The facial nerve was intact, and the regional lymph nodes were not palpable. Results: Excisional biopsy was done. The histopathology revealed mucoepidermoid carcinoma of low grade. Repeated ultrasound showed normal echogenicity of the left parotid gland and no discrete nodule seen. One cm hypoechoic mass was seen in the subcutaneous tissue of the left cheek, which indicates a residual mass or postoperative fibrosis. Magnetic resonance imaging of the parotid glands showed one cm mass of the left cheek. The patient had excisional biopsy and transposition flap of the left cheek. The lesion excised with 5 mm clear radial margins and 5 mm clear deep layer. The zygomatic branch of the VII cranial nerve was sacrificed because it was intralesional. Transposition of S-shaped flap was created and fixed through layers. Conclusions: A case of excised parotid mucoepidermoid carcinoma was presented; the patient was disease free at 79 months. Clinical stage and histological grade of mucoepidermoid carcinoma are the main prognostic factors.