Calcifications in a clear cell mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the hard palate

Abstract

Although calcification is a common finding in inflammatory salivary gland disorders, salivary gland tumour rarely shows calcifications. A case of clear cell mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) of the hard palate with extensive intratumoural calcifications visible on computed tomography (CT) scans and histologic sections is described. The calcification in the salivary gland tumour of the palate recognized by a CT scan should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a MEC. The mechanism of the intratumoural calcification in our case is speculated to be a result of a secretory function of the tumour cells.