Pigmented mucoepidermoid carcinoma, a case report and review of the literature on melanin-pigmented salivary gland tumors

J Oral Sci. 2006 Dec;48(4):253-6. doi: 10.2334/josnusd.48.253.

Abstract

This paper reports a well-differentiated mucoepidermoid carcinoma containing numerous melanocytes in the parenchyma in a middle-aged Japanese man. In addition to the characteristic histopathologic features of well-differentiated mucoepidermoid carcinoma, various-formed and -sized, pigmented cells were widely distributed in the parenchyma. Many of these were considered to be melanocytes containing melanin in their cytoplasm. Perusal of the English-language literature revealed only four cases of salivary gland tumors with parenchymal pigmentation: three mucoepidermoid carcinomas and one pleomorphic adenoma. The possible histogenesis of melanocytes in the salivary gland lesions is discussed, although no firm conclusion could be drawn.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid / chemistry
  • Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Lip Neoplasms / chemistry
  • Lip Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Male
  • Melanins / analysis
  • Melanocytes / pathology
  • Salivary Gland Neoplasms / chemistry
  • Salivary Gland Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Salivary Glands, Minor / pathology*

Substances

  • Melanins