MUCOEPIDERMOID CARCINOMA ON THE HARD PALATE: A RARE CASE REPORT

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is a malignant salivary gland neoplasm most commonly found in the oral cavity, occurring mainly in the major salivary glands. The most used treatments for MEC include local surgery alone or surgery associated with radiotherapy with or without cervical emptying. The objective of this study was to report the case of 18-year-old L.C.M., who had a lesion on the left side of the hard palate, with an evolution period of 5 years and characteristics very representative of MEC. An incisional biopsy was performed in the lesion region to confirm the diagnosis. After confirmation, the patient was referred for removal of the lesion and radiotherapy treatment. Five years after the surgery and radiotherapy treatment, the patient is well and without signs of relapse. It is concluded that the faster the diagnosis and treatment, the greater the chances of the patient being cured.