The Many Faces of Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma

Abstract

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is defined as a salivary tumor composed of mucinous, squamous, and intermediate cells in varying proportions. As MEC varies in grade and cellular composition, it may assume many different histologic appearances. A recurrent parotid mucoepidermoid carcinoma is presented here to illustrate 1) the potential for diagnostic confusion when MEC recurs with only one predominant cell type, and 2) issues concerning the reproducibility of tumor grading.