Low grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma arising from glandular odontogenic cyst: A case report with a brief literature review

Low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is a salivary gland tumor arising rarely within the jaw bones. It poses a diagnostic challenge due to its considerable overlap of the histopathological features with Glandular odontogenic cyst (GOC). Various theories have been put forward to explain the origin of central low-grade MEC, one of the potential being MEC arising from the lining of GOC. In the present paper we report a case of a multilocular lesion in a 54-year-old female in the mandibular anterior region, which clinically and microscopically had a resemblance to the glandular odontogenic cyst, but the final diagnosis of low-grade MEC was confirmed based on the immunohistochemical appraisal. • The case report details an unusual instance of low-grade MEC originating from a GOC, which is extremely rare in clinical practice. • The paper discusses the patient's clinical presentation and radiographic findings, highlighting the diagnostic challenges posed by the overlapping features of GOC and MEC. • A brief review of existing literature on similar cases provides context, emphasizing the rarity of this transformation and discussing potential etiological factors and the importance of long-term follow-up due to the potential for late recurrence.