Mucinous adenocarcinoma of probable minor salivary gland origin

Abstract

Mucinous adenocarcinoma is characterized by large pools of extracellular mucin. The tumor has been reported in the nasal cavity, paranasal sinus, breast, colon, stomach, prostate, skin, and lung. Mucinous adenocarcinoma also arises as a primary tumor of the major salivary glands. However, its occurrence is exceedingly rare and has only recently been recognized. Only 9 cases in the major salivary glands have been reported. We present an additional case of MAC in the maxilla that was considered to have developed from a palatal minor salivary gland.