Abstract
A comparatively rare case of a primary minor salivary gland mucoepidermoid carcinoma in the radix linguae is reported. A 21 year-old woman visited our hospital complaining of pain during swallowing. A smooth mass spreading to the lateral wall of the oropharynx from the left side of the radix linguae was found. CT showed a Gd enhanced homogenous mass 2cm in size on the left side of the oropharynx. The mass was suspected to be a benign tumor, and we attempted to remove it by oral approach. However, it was adherent to the lateral wall of the oropharynx. It was suspected to be a mucoepidermoid carcinoma after analyzing a frozen section. Therefore, it was removed during second operation. A median incision of the pharynx spread the range of vision sufficiently. A free radial forearm flap improved the postoperative functional disorders. The mass was a well differentiated mucoepidermoid carcinoma. There has been no evidence of recurrence for 8 months. A mucoepidermoid carcinoma is considered rare in primary minor salivary gland carcinomas and it is believed to be more rare finding a well differentiated mucoepidermoid carcinoma in the radix linguae of a young woman.
