Primary high-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the minor salivary glands with cutaneous metastases at diagnosis

Oral Oncol. 2002 Jun;38(4):401-4. doi: 10.1016/s1368-8375(01)00082-3.

Abstract

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) represents 15% of all salivary glands malignancies. Metastatic disease at diagnosis is observed in less than 5% of the cases. The lung is the most commonly involved site. This is the first reported case of high-grade MEC of the salivary gland with skin metastases at diagnosis. This feature was associated with a chemoresistant and aggressive behaviour. Differential diagnosis between metastatic MEC and primary skin MEC is essential for therapeutic management and prognosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid / pathology*
  • Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid / secondary
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Salivary Gland Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Skin Neoplasms / secondary*