Case Report: Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the lung, a challenging diagnosis of an unusual case

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Authors: María C. Garijo Martínez, Alejandro Olivares-Hernández, Lorena Hernandez, Fernando Luis Begliardo, Daniel Morchón-Araujo, J. González Ruiz, Juan Carlos Redondo González, Luis Posado Domínguez, Eva Campaña Díaz, Inés María de Dios Franco, Emilio Fonseca Sánchez, Edel del Barco Morillo
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References: 15

Abstract

Background: Lung cancer comprises several types of tumors, with the most common subtypes being adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the lung is an extremely rare entity, whose diagnosis and treatment are challenging. Case presentation: We reported a 55-year-old woman who was diagnosed in the context of a respiratory disease with a mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the lung. The diagnosis was not easy due to the difficulty in obtaining a correct tissue sample to study. After discussing the case in a multidisciplinary tumor board, the patient underwent surgery with the exceptional diagnosis of a low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the lung. Since then, the patient has been on follow-up, with no evidence of disease. Conclusions: There are some subtypes of lung cancer with very different behavior from the classical ones. For example, mucoepidermoid carcinomas of the lung have an exceptional survival with surgery, without needing further treatment, when they are classified as low-grade. This case report underscores the importance of an appropriate diagnosis based on the work of multidisciplinary tumor boards, even when there are difficulties in obtaining a tissue sample, to offer to the patients the best opportunities.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Salivary Gland Tumors Diagnosis and Treatment Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Studies Lung Cancer Research Studies

Publication details

Journal / source
Frontiers in Oncology
Volume
15
Pages
1626604–1626604
Publication date
6 January 2026
Language
EN