# Low-Grade Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma Mimicking a Mucocele in the Soft Palate: A Case Report

## TL;DR

A 9-year-old girl's soft palate lesion was initially thought to be a mucocele but was later diagnosed as a rare low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma.

## Contribution

This case report highlights the rarity of low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma in pediatric soft palate lesions and emphasizes the importance of histopathological evaluation.

## Key findings

- Low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma was diagnosed in a pediatric patient with a soft palate lesion initially thought to be a mucocele.
- Histopathological examination is crucial for accurate diagnosis of seemingly benign palate lesions.
- The case underscores the need for a multidisciplinary approach in managing incidental findings.

## Abstract

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is the most common malignant salivary gland tumor, but its occurrence in the soft palate and among pediatric patients is unusual. This case highlights the rarity of this condition in children. A nine-year-old girl with a history of recurrent respiratory infections and allergic rhinitis with nasal obstruction developed a cystic, fluctuating lesion on the right side of her soft palate, initially diagnosed as a mucocele. She underwent septoplasty with complete removal of the lesion, and a low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma was incidentally diagnosed. MECs usually present as painless, slow-growing tumors that are often mistaken for benign growths because of their appearance and the presence of many differential diagnoses. This case underscores the importance of histopathological examination of seemingly benign palate lesions and highlights the need for a multidisciplinary approach when an incidental finding is made.