A rare case of long-standing mucoepidermoid carcinoma of minor salivary glands of the palate.

Salivary gland carcinomas are the uncommon and clinically diverse group of neoplasms with mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) being the most common among them. MEC accounts for 5% of all salivary gland tumors. As the name implies, the tumor is composed of both mucus secreting cells and epidermoid type cells in varying proportions. Most patients are aware of the lesion for 1 year or less. We report clinical, radiographic and histological features of a long-standing case of mucoepidermoid carcinoma of minor salivary glands of the palate in a 35-year-old male patient. The patient reported with a slow growing swelling on the palate which began 15 years ago. The patient was treated with hemi-maxillectomy and is currently under follow up.