Epidemiology of Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma of Minor Salivary Glands: A Single-Institution Experience in Mumbai, Maharashtra over 20 Years

Introduction: Encountering a soft tissue swelling in the oral cavity during routine dental practice is infrequent yet practical. Salivary gland tumours of the oral mucosa are associated with minor salivary glands, although they are uncommon and can be considered as a differential diagnosis. Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma (MEC) constitutes a significant percentage of salivary gland tumours of minor salivary glands and exhibits varied biological behaviour. Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the clinical and histological characteristics of MEC of the minor salivary glands to comprehend the epidemiological pattern of these tumours and compare the findings with those of other studies. Materials and Methods: For this cross-sectional study, data on salivary gland tumours were accessed from the Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Government Dental College and Hospital, Mumbai, archives spanning from 2003 to 2022 (a 20-year period). Out of the 22 reported cases of salivary gland tumours, 12 cases were identified as MEC. Clinical details and slides of these MEC cases were obtained from the departmental archives and graded according to Brandwein MS grading. The patients’ clinical features were described through descriptive analysis using SPSS software. Results: Based on gender distribution, there were 8 (66.66%) females and 4 (33.33%) males. The age distribution of the patients revealed that the maximum number of patients (n=4, 33.33%) belonged to the 4th decade of life. The site involvement, in ascending order, included the palate (n=10; 83.83%), alveolus (n=1), and upper anterior gingiva (n=1). Regarding laterality, 7 (58.33%) cases were on the right-side, and 5 (41.66%) were on the left-side of the palate. Conclusion: The study found that females in their 4th decade were commonly affected, with the palate being the most commonly affected site. MEC is one of the common differential diagnosis to consider, and its aggressiveness and treatment planning are related to histological grading. Therefore, epidemiological studies from different parts of the globe are needed to provide a better understanding of the lesion’s biological behaviour, common sites, gender, and age predilection.