Cyst-Like Central Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE

Cyst-like central mucoepidermoid carcinoma (CC-MEC) is a special type of MEC in the jaw and clinically like a cyst. To analyze the clinicopathological features, treatment, and prognosis of CC-MEC.

METHODS

From 2018 to 2023, nine patients with CC-MEC who underwent surgery were retrospectively investigated.

RESULTS

Six females and three males, with a mean age of 43.1 (range, 10-75) years. Six in maxilla and three in mandible. Seven patients presented with painless swelling, two with pain and nasal congestion. The imaging findings were multilocular radiolucency lesions, with clear or unclear boundaries. Pathologically, six tumors had single or multiple cystic lesions with localized solid tumor cell nests. Only three tumors showed cystic-solid lesions with typical features of MEC. Eight tumors had MAML2 break-apart. Seven patients underwent fenestration or curettage, and five followed by radical surgery due to tumor recurrence. Two patients had radical resection during their initial operations. Postoperative outcomes were available for eight patients; no deaths and recurrence.

CONCLUSION

CC-MEC in the jaw is prone to misdiagnosis as a jaw cyst. Final diagnosis often relies on MAML2 gene testing. Curettage has a high risk of recurrence. Complete resection leads to satisfactory outcomes.