Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma of Hard Palate in a Pediatric Case

Salivary gland neoplasms are rare in childhood. Only 1 to5.5% of minor salivary gland tumours occur in children and adolescents. The most common malignant minor salivary gland tumours are mucoepidermoid carcinomas (MECs). Herein, we present a rare case of mucoepidermoid carcinoma occuring in the hard palate.

Presentation of Case: A 12-year-old boy visited our hospital with a swelling and ulceration of the right hard palate. Clinical examination revealed a localized mucosal nodule of the right posterior hard palate, measuring 1*1 cm. Biopsy was performed. The tumour was diagnosed as a low grade MEC. Wide excision was performed. The patient didn’t need another therapy. During 15-month follow-up, the patient showed no evidence of local tumour recurrence or metastasis.

Discussion: Mucoepidermoid carcinoma occurring in the oral cavity is extremly rare. These tumours are usually presenting as a painless, reddish-purple nodüle. Biopsy is necessery for definitive diagnosis. Histologically, MECs are divided into low, intermediate and high grade subtypes. Differantial diagnosis of palatal tumours in children include pleomorphic adenoma, benign or malignant mesenchymal tumours, and less commonly giant cell granuloma. A wide local excision with safe free margins is the operative procedure for low-grade MECs.