Desafío diagnóstico y terapéutico de carcinoma mucoepidermoide palatino: reporte de un caso

Abstract

Salivary gland neoplasms are infrequent lesions representing less than 3% of head and neck tumors. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is the most common malignant tumor in salivary glands, being the parotid the most usual location. Clinically, it resembles other oral mucosa lesions, therefore, it is important to make a correct differential diagnosis. Its biological behavior is related to the tumor histological grade, a relevant factor in the prognosis and treatment of this neoplasm. We reported a case of a 75-year-old-man, with a tumor in the palate, diagnosed as low-grade mucoepi dermoid carcinoma. A partial maxillectomy and an obturator plate were performed based on a removable prosthesis and subsequent reconstruction with a microvascularized free flap. The patient is currently undergoing regular check-ups, maintaining disease free. Salivary gland tumors are a diagnostic challenge, requiring imaging tests and histopathological study. In case of doubts with the diagnosis, it should be considered to biopsy more than area or to repeat the biopsy in order to obtain a re presentative sample that allows the diagnosis of the lesion.