Cytological diagnosis of mucoepidermoid carcinoma of parotid - A diagnostic dilemma.

Abstract

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) of parotid, a rare disease, was diagnosed by fine needle aspiration in a young child and later confirmed on histopathology. Of all salivary gland tumors, mucoepidermoid carcinoma is the most difficult to diagnose by fine needle aspiration cytology due to overlapping cytomorphology with benign lesions. So, fine needle aspiration cytology helps in early diagnosis and management.