Head and Neck Cancer Research

Abstract

Introduction: Mucoepidermoid carcinoma accounts for 1-4% of all parotid tumors. It is the most common malignant tumor of the parotid gland, with specific symptomatology and slow progression. Three histological types are defined: low grade, intermediate grade, and high grade. Management combines excisional surgery with radiotherapy depending on the histological grade.
Case presentation: An 8-year-old female child from one of the regions of Burundi consults for a left jugal mass extending to the neck in its upper later cervical part. This mass has been evolving for 3 years. The history of the disease dates back to 3 years ago when the parents noticed a small left pre-auricular jugal mass. The progressive increase of the mass motivated medical consultation. Examination revealed a large, regular, circumscribed left jugal mass extending to the neck, discretely mobile in relation to the deep plane. There is no facial paralysis or cervical adenopathy. The skin opposite is healthy. A CT scan of the facial mass revealed a large circumscribed left parotid mass with no deep infiltration. A conservative total parotidectomy was decided upon and allowed for the noncomplete removal of the mass, the endofacial part of which infiltrated the masseter muscle. The postoperative course was simple. The histology received three weeks after the operation was in favor of an intermediate-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma according to the AFIP (Armed Forces Pathology) classification.