Abstract

Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma (MEC) is the epithelial salivary gland neoplasm of the oral cavity. It accounts for <3% of all head and neck tumours. About 5% of these tumours occur in patients younger than 18 years old with women mostly affected. As its name implies, it is composed of mucus producing, squamous and intermediate type cells. About 2/3 arise within the parotid gland and 1/3 arise within the minor salivary glands. When MEC arises in minor salivary glands it can be located on the palate, retro-molar area, floor of the mouth, buccal mucosa, lips and tongue. Rarely, it can arise as primary jaw tumour or as laryngeal, lacrimal, nasal, para-nasal, tracheal or pulmonary tumour. It occurs most frequently in adults during the fifth and sixth decades of life. Although uncommon, it is the main malignant salivary gland tumour in children, particularly adolescents and affects women more often than men [1,2].