Central Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma of the Mandible: Case Report

ABSTRACT

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma generally arises from salivary glands and represents 5~10% of all salivary tumors. Arising within the jaws as primary central bony lesions, central mucoepidermoid carcinomas are extremely rare, accounting for only 2~3% of all mucoepidermoid tumors. Central mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the mandible was first reported in 1939 and since then approximately 100 cases have been documented in the literature. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the pathogenesis of intraosseous salivary tumors. The most likely source of most intraosseous tumors is odontogenic epithelium. Waldron and Mustoe suggested that central mucoepidermoid carcinoma be included in primary intraosseous carcinoma of the jaw. We report here on a case of central mucoepidermoid carcinoma affecting the mandible and discuss the clinical, radiographic, and histological findings.