Mucoepidermoid tumor of the lacrimal sac

A 58-year-old man had a mucoepidermoid tumor of the lacrimal apparatus. Histologically the tumor exhibited clumps and nests of neoplastic cells that showed an admixture of squamous and mucussecreting cells. Histochemical stains for glycoproteins were useful in arriving at the correct diagnosis. Biologically the tumor seemed to be locally aggressive but not metastatic and should be differentiated histologically from the conventional squamous cell carcinomas, adenoid cystic carcinomas, adenocarcinomas, and adenoacanthomas. Large advanced lesions may be managed only by radical surgery, and the margins should be carefully studied for residual tumor. Frequent follow-up is recommended to detect early recurrence.