Paediatric mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the palate. Case report

Μucoepidermoid carcinoma although being the most frequent type of malignant salivary gland neoplasm, it rarely affects children. A 15-year old boy initially presented with a painless swelling located on the border between the hard and soft palate, on the right side of the middle line. This swelling had been discovered by the referring dentist one month ago. Overlying mucosa was normal, bluishin colour. The neoplasm was 1.5 cm and had a fluctuating composition. The partial biopsy that was performed revealed a well-differentiated mucoepidermoid carcinoma. The patient underwent a complete clinical,laboratory and imaging examination followed by complete excision of the tumour. Histological examination of the surgical specimen confirmed the initial diagnosis.During a follow-up period of 1.5 years there was no recurrence. Although they rarely occur in children, malignant neoplasms of the minor salivary glands should be included in the differential diagnosis of oral tumours, especially if these tumours are located on the border between the hard and soft palate.