Mucoepidermoid carcinoma at the root of the tongue : A case report

Abstract

Introduction : The treatment strategy of malignant tumors is generally decided based on the preoperative pathological diagnosis. We encountered a case of slow-growing mucoepidermoid carcinoma at the root of the tongue that could not be preoperatively diagnosed by a biopsy. Case : A 59-year-old woman had felt something was wrong with her oral cavity, and a cystic-elastic hard mass had been noted on the left-side of the tongue root 5 years earlier. No evidence of malignancy had been indicated through several histopathological examinations. Because the mass had shown growth, tumorectomy was performed. The postoperative pathological findings indicated it to be a low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma. While the resection margin was negative, we will conduct close follow-up going forward. Discussion : The degree of malignancy of mucoepidermoid carcinoma is determined based on the histopathological findings, and the treatment strategy is decided based on these findings as well. Therefore, it is important to acquire preoperative pathological findings. However, this can sometimes be difficult. Surgical resection is selected as the initial treatment in rare cases. In the present case, the excisional area of the tumor was inadequate because we were unable to obtain evidence of malignancy before the operation. Although we decided to perform careful observation without any additional treatment in this case, in retrospect, perhaps we should have chosen adjuvant chemotherapy or irradiation. Conclusion : We encountered relatively rare case of mucoepidermoid carcinoma occurring at the root of the tongue with a long-term follow-up. It is important to evaluate the malignancy based on pathological findings before performing surgery to ensure proper treatment, although this is often difficult.