Log in

A case of mucoepidermoid carcinoma with melanin pigmentation manifested in the palate

  • Case Report
  • Published:
Virchows Archiv Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper describes the first documented case of mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) with melanin pigmentation manifested in the palate. Histopathological sections showed a neoplasm composed of epidermoid, mucous-producing and intermediate cells. Numerous large cells contained dark pigmented materials. Fontana Masson staining revealed dendritic melanocytes and melanin granules. HMB-45, Melan A and S-100 protein were all positive for melanocytes. Histopathological examination was not typical for malignant melanoma; the lesion was diagnosed as a low-grade MEC with melanin pigmentation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
EUR 32.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or Ebook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Aufdemorte TB, van Sickels JE, Glass BJ (1985) Melanin pigmentation in a mucoepidermoid tumor of a minor salivary gland. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 43:876–879

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Azzopardi JG, Eusebi V (1977) Melanocyte colonization and pigmentation of breast carcinoma. Histopathology 1:21–30

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Eneroth CM (1971) Salivary gland tumors in the parotid gland, submandibular gland, and the palate region. Cancer 27:1415–1418

    Google Scholar 

  4. Hirakawa E, Miki H, Ohmori M, Kobayashi S, Haba R, Nagai Y (1999) Melanin pigmented oncocytic metaplasia of the nasopharynx. Virchows Arch 434:455–457

    Google Scholar 

  5. Renaut AJ (1996) Melanoma arising within the parotid salivary gland—a case report and review of management. Eur J Surg Oncol 22:201–202

    Google Scholar 

  6. Takeda Y (2000) Existence and distribution of melanocytes and HMB-45-positive cells in the human minor salivary glands. Pathol Int 50:15–19

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Takeda Y, Satoh M, Nakamura S (2004) Pigmented pleomorphic adenoma, a novel melanin-pigmented benign salivary gland tumor. Virchows Arch 445:199–202

    Google Scholar 

  8. Thomas KM, Hutt MSR, Borgstein J (1980) Salivary gland tumors in Malawi. Cancer 46:2328–2334

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joji Sekine.

Additional information

M. Vieth received a research grant from the Japanese Society of Pathology at the Institute of Pathology, Shiga University of Medical Science, Ohtsu, Japan

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sekine, J., Anami, M., Fujita, S. et al. A case of mucoepidermoid carcinoma with melanin pigmentation manifested in the palate. Virchows Arch 446, 460–462 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00428-005-1213-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00428-005-1213-7

Keywords

Navigation