Sclerosing Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma in the Parotid Gland: Literature Review

Abstract

Received March 26, 2012 Revised May 7, 2012 Accepted May 14, 2012 Address for correspondence Jin-Choon Lee, MD Department of OtorhinolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery, Pusan National University School of Medicine, 179 Gudeok-ro, Seo-gu, Busan 602-739, Korea Tel +82-51-240-7335 Fax +82-51-246-8668 E-mail ljc0209@hanmail.net Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is the most common malignant salivary gland neoplasm. Its sclerosing morphologic variant, however, is an extremely rare entity. Only 15 cases have been reported in the English literature. We report a case of a sclerosing mucoepidermoid carcinoma in the left parotid gland with a review of literature. A fifty seven-year-old female patient presented with left parotid mass. Fine needle aspiration biopsy reported a parotid gland tumor, predominantly benign cystic condition, and the differential diagnosis included benign lymphoepithelial cyst and Warthin’ tumor. Left superficial parotidectomy was performed. Histologically, a well demarcated mass (2.2×1.5×1.0 cm) was composed of a central sclerosis with a few tumor nests and a peripheral lymphoid hyperplasia. The lumen of the tumor glands is filled with mucin stained with mucicarmine. Finally, it was diagnosed as sclerosing mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg 2012;55:508-12 Key WordsZZParotid gland ᆞSclerosing mucoepidermoid carcinoma.