A rare case of tonsillar mucoepidermoid carcinoma

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is one of the most common histological malignant salivary gland tumors, it is most frequently diagnosed in the parotid gland. MEC is also diagnosed in the intra oral minor salivary glands. Only a few cases of tonsillar MEC have been reported. We present a rare case of mucoepidermoid carcinoma arising from the left pharyngeal tonsil. This case report shows that it is important to perform tonsillectomy when discovering neck metastasis of salivary gland tumors with unknown primary.

Automated summary

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is a common malignant salivary gland tumor, often found in the parotid gland. It can also occur in the intraoral minor salivary glands. Tonsillar MEC is rare, with only a few cases reported. This case report highlights the importance of performing tonsillectomy when neck metastasis of salivary gland tumors with unknown primary is detected.