Cyst-Like Central Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
• Oncology
• Genetics

Background:

• Cyst-like central mucoepidermoid carcinoma (CC-MEC) presents clinically as a jaw cyst, posing diagnostic challenges.
• Accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment are essential for managing this rare variant of mucoepidermoid carcinoma.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the clinicopathological characteristics of CC-MEC.
• To evaluate treatment strategies and patient prognosis for CC-MEC.
• To highlight diagnostic challenges and the role of molecular markers.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective investigation of nine patients diagnosed with CC-MEC who underwent surgical treatment between 2018 and 2023.
• Analysis of clinical presentations, imaging findings, histopathological features, and MAML2 gene status.
• Review of surgical procedures, recurrence rates, and postoperative outcomes.

Main Results:

• The study included six females and three males with a mean age of 43.1 years, affecting both maxilla and mandible.
• Common presentations included painless swelling; imaging revealed multilocular radiolucencies.
• Histopathology showed cystic lesions with solid nests; MAML2 break-apart was detected in eight tumors. Curettage led to recurrence in five patients, while radical resection resulted in satisfactory outcomes with no deaths or recurrence in eight patients.

Conclusions:

• CC-MEC is frequently misdiagnosed as a jaw cyst due to its clinical appearance.
• MAML2 gene testing is vital for definitive diagnosis.
• Complete surgical resection is recommended for optimal treatment outcomes, as conservative approaches like curettage are associated with a high risk of recurrence.