Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma of the Anterior Tongue: A Report of a Rare Case

TL;DR

This paper reports a rare case of high-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma on the anterior tongue in a 62-year-old man, highlighting its clinical presentation and treatment.

Contribution

The novelty lies in documenting a rare occurrence of MEC on the anterior tongue, which is typically found in the base or dorsum.

Findings

A high-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma was confirmed via biopsy on the anterior tongue of a 62-year-old male.

The patient underwent surgical excision and radiotherapy for treatment.

Long-term monitoring is essential for prognosis assessment in such rare cases.

Abstract

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is a commonly observed malignancy of salivary glands. It rarely involves minor salivary glands of the tongue. Most cases are reported in the base and dorsum of the tongue. This report discusses a 62-year-old male patient presenting with a non-healing ulcer and pain on the inferior surface of the tongue. Clinical examination revealed an ulceroproliferative, firm, and exophytic growth on the ventral surface of the anterior tongue. An incisional biopsy and histopathological analysis confirmed a high-grade MEC. The patient underwent surgical excision combined with radiotherapy, followed by long-term monitoring for prognosis assessment.

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