High-Grade Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma Ex-Pleomorphic Adenoma of the Parotid Gland: Case Report and Review of Literature

Aron Z. Pollack, Benjamin C. Paul, Mike C. Sheu, Gady Har-El

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, New York Uni-versity School of Medicine and Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, USA.

DOI: 10.4236/ijohns.2014.31003                

Abstract

Background: Mucoepidermoid carcinoma ex-pleomorphic adenoma (MECxPA) is an extremely rare salivary gland malignancy. With only nine prior reported cases, this entity represents a challenging histopathological diagnosis. Methods: We present a case of a 71-year-old male with an enlarging left neck mass over several months. CT showed both a parapharyngeal space mass and a separate level II neck mass. Results: The patient underwent resection of the left parapharyngeal mass and ipsilateral selective level II-IV lymphadenectomy. The final pathologic diagnosis was metastatic high-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma ex-pleomorphic adenoma. Conclusions: We describe a novel presentation of high-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma ex-pleomorphic adenoma as a metastatic parapharyngeal mass.

Keywords

Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma; Carcinoma ex-Pleomorphic Adenoma; Pleomorphic Adenoma; Parotid Gland

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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