Low grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma arising from glandular odontogenic cyst: A case report with a brief literature review

Low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is a salivary gland tumor arising rarely within the jaw bones. It poses a diagnostic challenge due to its considerable overlap of the histopathological features with Glandular odontogenic cyst (GOC). Various theories have been put forward to explain the origin of central low-grade MEC, one of the potential being MEC arising from the lining of GOC. In the present paper we report a case of a multilocular lesion in a 54-year-old female in the mandibular anterior region, which clinically and microscopically had a resemblance to the glandular odontogenic cyst, but the final diagnosis of low-grade MEC was confirmed based on the immunohistochemical appraisal. •The case report details an unusual instance of low-grade MEC originating from a GOC, which is extremely rare in clinical practice.•The paper discusses the patient's clinical presentation and radiographic findings, highlighting the diagnostic challenges posed by the overlapping features of GOC and MEC.•A brief review of existing literature on similar cases provides context, emphasizing the rarity of this transformation and discussing potential etiological factors and the importance of long-term follow-up due to the potential for late recurrence.