Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (patient information)

Tumors of the salivary glands comprise those in the major glands (e.g., parotid, submandibular, and sublingual) and the minor glands (e.g., oral mucosa, palate, uvula, floor of mouth, posterior tongue, retromolar area and peritonsillar area, pharynx, larynx, and paranasal sinuses.

Most patients with benign tumors of the major or minor salivary glands present with painless swelling of the parotid, submandibular, or the sublingual glands. Neurological signs, such as numbness or weakness caused by nerve involvement, typically indicate a malignancy

There are no causes associated to mucoepidermoid carcinoma

Although exposure to ionizing radiation has been implicated as a cause of salivary gland cancer, the etiology of most salivary gland cancers cannot be determined

CT scan and MRI

Call your oncologist if symptoms of mucoepidermoid carcinoma develops.

Directions to Hospitals Treating Mucoepidermoid carcinoma

There is no prevention for mucoepidermoid carcinoma

Overall, clinical stage, particularly tumor size, may be the crucial factor to determine the outcome of salivary gland cancer and may be more important than histologic grade

Complications of surgical treatment for parotid neoplasms include facial nerve dysfunction and Frey syndrome also known as gustatory flushing and sweating and the auriculotemporal syndrome. Frey syndrome has been successfully treated with injections of botulinum toxin

Salivary Gland Cancer Treatment–for health professionals (PDQ®) http://www.cancer.gov/types/head-and-neck/hp/salivary-gland-treatment-pdq#link/_403_toc

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