A RARE CASE OF LOW GRADE MUCOEPIDERMOID CARCINOMA OF A PALATINE TONSIL

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC)is the most commonly found malignant tumor of the salivary glands, it occurs in both adults and children but predominantly in females. it mostly occurs in the parotid gland, followed by the palate and buccal mucosa, rarely it is found in locations such as the tongue, larynx or palatine tonsil. 

CASE PRESENTATION: we report the case of a 27-year-old married female with no known comorbidities who presented to the ENT outpatient department with the complain of recurrent sore throat since year which was associated with dysphagia and odynophagia. Clinical examination of the oral cavity revealed right oropharyngeal exophytic growth which occupied the right side of the palatine tonsils, it did not reach up to the uvula and did not bleed on touch. On examination of the neck, the lymph modes in the neck were not palpable. A right sided tonsillectomy for the purpose of biopsy was done under general anesthesia, and histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis a low grade Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of tonsil.

CONCLUSION: Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the tonsil is a very rare differential diagnosis, especially for a sore throat. Early imaging and clinical suspicion are essential for timely intervention.