Mucoepidermoid carcinoma showing continuity with the surface mucosa of the oral cavity: a report of 14 cases

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to characterize the histology and the clinicodemographic features of mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC), showing continuity with the oral surface mucosa.

Study design: We reviewed 138 cases of intraoral MEC to identify cases that showed continuity with the surface mucosa and compared their clinicodemographic findings with those of MECs not showing continuity. We compared the sex ratio using the 2-sample Z-test and compared the age distribution using the 2-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov test.

Results: Of the 138 cases examined, 14 showed continuity with the surface mucosa. Their histology showed surface mucosa with an apparent transition to an infiltrating tumor with mucous, intermediate, and epidermoid tumor cells growing in solid and cystic patterns. Their clinical appearance ranged from firm submucosal nodules to erythematous to ulcerated lesions. They showed a strong female predilection (6:1) and sharply bimodal age distribution, with sharp peaks in the fourth and seventh decades.

Conclusions: Mucoepidermoid carcinomas that show continuity have a demographic pattern distinct from that of conventional MECs, showing a striking female predilection and bimodal age distribution and suggesting a difference in etiology. Pathologists should remain aware that MEC in the oral cavity can have a histologic appearance of surface origin to reach the correct diagnosis.