National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma


Other Names:
C3772
Categories:
This disease is grouped under:
Salivary gland type cancer of the breast
Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is a type of cancer of the salivary glands.  Salivary gland cancer is diagnosed in 2-3 individuals per 100,000 people each year, and 30-35% of these are mucoepidermoid carcinomas.[1][2]   Mucoepidermoid carcinoma develops when a cell randomly acquires changes (mutations) in genes that regulate how the cell divides such that it begins to grow quickly, forming a cluster of cells (a mass or lump).[1]  The earliest signs of a mucoepidermoid carcinoma may include a lump in the face, neck, or mouth; numbness, weakness, or pain in part of the face; or difficulty swallowing.  Treatment often begins with surgery to remove the entire tumor.  In some cases, radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy may be used after surgery to ensure that no cancer cells remain in the body.[2]
Last updated: 6/18/2013

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Clinical Research Resources

  • ClinicalTrials.gov lists trials that are related to Mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to read descriptions of these studies.

    Please note: Studies listed on the ClinicalTrials.gov website are listed for informational purposes only; being listed does not reflect an endorsement by GARD or the NIH. We strongly recommend that you talk with a trusted healthcare provider before choosing to participate in any clinical study.

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

In-Depth Information

  • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.

Questions sent to GARD may be posted here if the information could be helpful to others. We remove all identifying information when posting a question to protect your privacy. If you do not want your question posted, please let us know. Submit a new question

  • As a teenager who developed low grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) of the salivary glands, how might this diagnosis affect my long-term survival? See answer

  • Is mucoepidermoid carcinoma a genetic disease? See answer


  1. Chandana SR, Conley BA. Salivary gland cancers: current treatments, molecular characteristics and new therapies.. Expert Review of Anticancer Therapy. 2008; 8:645-652. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18402531. Accessed 8/3/2011.
  2. American Cancer Society. Salviary Gland Cancer. Learn About Cancer. 2011; http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/SalivaryGlandCancer/DetailedGuide/salivary-gland-cancer-what-is-salivary-gland-cancer. Accessed 8/3/2011.