Muco-epidermoid carcinoma of the palate

Muco-epidermoid carcinoma is the second most frequently occurring malignancy of the minor salivary glands representing 25 per cent of all malignancies, adenoid cystic being the more common tumor. It invariably presents as an asymptomatic lung without mucosal ulceration, 50 per cent of which occur on the palate. It is of great interest to the physician because it may be divided into two distinct categories dependent upon its cell composition - low grade malignancy or high grade. These have widely differing prognostic significance and require different modes of therapy. This is illustrated by five case histories which span the past seven years of the author's experience.