A rare case of mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the nasal cavity

Abstract

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the nasal cavity is rare. We report the case of a 57-year-old man who was evaluated for a rapidly enlarging subcutaneous mass on the nasal bridge. The tumor was diagnosed as a mucoepidermoid carcinoma. The patient underwent extensive surgical resection and postoperative radiotherapy, but 5 months later he required orbital exenteration for persistent disease. Despite these radical measures, the patient died with persistent disease 9 months following the initial evaluation. The aggressive behavior of this tumor high- lights the need for physicians to be aware of the differential diagnosis, symptoms, and signs of neoplasms that originate in the nasal cavity so that prompt treatment can be instituted.