Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma of the Hard Palate: a Rare Cause of Hypervascular Tumor

ABSTRACT

A highly vascular tumor of the head and neck, with the exception a true vascular lesion, has rarely been observed. We report a rare case of a large, highly vascular, mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) of the hard palate in a 28-year-old woman. The highly vascular channels were identified by ultrasonography and angiography. This case is noteworthy in that a large, highly vascular tumor of the minor salivary gland simulated a vascular lesion. When preoperative imaging demonstrates large vascular channels, preoperative angiography will benefit surgical management and embolization should be considered if possible.