Abstract
Primary intraosseous mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the jawbones is an extremely rare malignant salivary gland tumour constituting 2-4.3% of all the reported mucoepidermoid carcinomas. We report a case of intraosseous mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the mandible in an 80-year old female patient developing from a previously diagnosed dentigerous cyst. An excisional biopsy was performed and the histopathological features confirmed low grade-cystic intraosseous mucoepidermoid carcinoma. The origin of central mucoepidermoid carcinoma could be suggested to be from the epithelial lining of previously diagnosed dentigerous cyst. Thus, emphasizing the need for careful examination of the entire excision specimen to rule out such neoplastic transformation of epithelial lining of odontogenic cyst and provide appropriate and effective treatment.
Highlights
Mucoepidermoid carcinoma comprises 510% of all salivary gland tumors
Waldron and Mustoe suggested that intraosseous mucoepidermoid carcinoma be included in primary intraosseous carcinoma of jaw as type 4 lesion.[2]
Several case reports are recorded in the literature about neoplastic transformation of epithelial lining of odontogenic cyst.[1,2,3,4]
Summary
Mucoepidermoid carcinoma comprises 510% of all salivary gland tumors. Aberrant salivary gland neoplasms arising within the jaws as primary central bony lesions are extremely rare, of which most common is central mucoepidermoid carcinoma.[1]. Waldron and Mustoe suggested that intraosseous mucoepidermoid carcinoma be included in primary intraosseous carcinoma of jaw as type 4 lesion.[2] Several case reports are recorded in the literature about neoplastic transformation of epithelial lining of odontogenic cyst.[1,2,3,4]. We report a case of central mucoepidermoid carcinoma arising from a previously diagnosed case of dentigerous cyst. We can suggest the origin of central mucoepidermoid carcinoma to arise from the malignant transformation of epithelial lining of odontogenic cyst. A non-keratinizing cystic lining epithelium with mucous cell metaplasia and a connective tissue wall was noted. (Figure 2A) Correlating patient’s history with the clinical, radiographical and histopathological findings, a diagnosis of long standing case of dentigerous cyst with mucous metaplasia was given. A final diagnosis of low-grade central mucoepidermoid carcinoma was rendered
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