Mucoepidermoid carcinoma – causes, side effects and treatments at NaturalPedia.com

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is a type of cancer that typically occurs in the salivary glands. It can imitate most other tumors of the glands, and therefore is often considered in the differential. Although mucoepidermoid carcinoma can develop in anyone at any age, it is most common in middle age. However, it is the most common cancerous salivary gland tumor of childhood. Mucoepidermoid carcinomas most often occur in the parotid gland. It can also occur in other organs such as the thyroid, bronchi, and lacrimal sac. This type of carcinoma develops from three cellular elements in different proportions: mucus-secreting cells, intermediate cells, and squamous cells.

Known side effects of mucoepidermoid carcinoma

The side effects of mucoepidermoid carcinoma depend on the location of the tumors. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the lungs causes coughing, fatigue, blood in cough, labored breathing, pneumonia, pain in the chest, weight loss, and wheezing. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma in the parotid gland causes bleeding, difficulty opening the mouth, ear pain, or pain in the neck or mouth, facial paralysis, numbness, loss of motor function, pain or difficulty with swallowing, and tenderness. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma in the salivary glands causes a swelling or lump on or near the jaw or in the mouth or neck, continuous pain in the area of a salivary gland, having problems opening the mouth widely, muscle weakness on one side of the face, numbness in a certain part of the face, and difficulty swallowing. In general, mucoepidermoid carcinoma may cause a lump in the face, neck or mouth; numbness, weakness, or pain in part of the face; or difficulty swallowing.

The possible complications of mucoepidermoid carcinoma of salivary gland may include:

• Cosmetic concerns (facial disfigurement) and severe emotional stress
• Ulceration and bleeding from the tumor
• Large-sized tumors may compress adjoining tissues and structures resulting in additional complications
• Breathing or swallowing difficulties (if tumor mass obstructs the food-pipe or wind-pipe)
• Recurrence of the tumor after surgery
• Bones may be affected and undergo demineralization
• Tumor metastasis to local and distant sites:
  • Metastasis of parotid gland tumors take place to the adjacent lymph nodes, and then to the submandibular regions
  • Submandibular tumors are known to spread to the lymphatic system
  • Mouth or intraoral MEC tumors are known to metastasize to the submandibular glands, post-auricular and neck lymph nodes
  • Palate tumors may metastasize to the skull base and respiratory tract
  • Higher or advanced stage tumors can involve the brain, lung, liver, and bones
• Surgical complications: Surgery to remove the tumor mass may result in facial nerve palsy and gustatory sweating
• Post-surgical wound infection
• Side effects from radiation therapy or chemotherapy, such as toxicity

Body systems harmed by mucoepidermoid carcinoma

The body systems harmed by mucoepidermoid carcinoma include the respiratory and digestive systems.

List of foods or nutrients that prevent mucoepidermoid carcinoma

There is no information on what foods or nutrients prevent mucoepidermoid carcinoma.

Treatments, management plans for mucoepidermoid carcinoma

Treatment options for mucoepidermoid carcinoma include surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy. In some cases, more than one type of treatment is used.

Where to learn more

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Summary

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is a type of cancer of the salivary glands.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma generally causes a lump in the face, neck or mouth; numbness, weakness, or pain in part of the face; or difficulty swallowing.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma can result in many complications.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma can be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy.

Sources include:

Radiopaedia.org

CancerWall.com

RareDiseases.Info.NIH.gov

DoveMed.com