Living with Mucoepidermoid carcinoma
A type of salivary gland cancer that can first show up as a lump in the face, neck, or mouth.
Understanding Mucoepidermoid carcinoma
Salivary gland cancer is diagnosed in 2 to 3 people per 100,000 each year, and 30 to 35 percent of these are mucoepidermoid carcinomas. It starts when a cell randomly gets changes in genes that control how it divides, so it grows quickly and forms a lump. Early signs may include a lump in the face, neck, or mouth, numbness, weakness, or pain in part of the face, or trouble swallowing.
Signs & symptoms
GARD doesn't list a set of most common symptoms for this condition. Its summary describes these early signs:
- A lump in the face, neck, or mouth
- Numbness in part of the face
- Weakness in part of the face
- Pain in part of the face
- Difficulty swallowing
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Your doctor may refer you to a specialist who knows rare conditions.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- A doctor familiar with rare conditions, plus specialists as needed
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with American Cancer Society
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD says it develops when a cell randomly gets changes in genes that control how the cell divides, so it grows quickly and forms a mass or lump.
Also known as: mec; mucoepidermoid carcinoma (morphologic abnormality); mucoepidermoid tumor; mucoepidermoid tumour
Patient organizations
- American Cancer SocietyMucoepidermoid carcinoma · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Mucoepidermoid carcinoma.
Explore research for Mucoepidermoid carcinoma
Explore actively recruiting Mucoepidermoid carcinoma studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Mucoepidermoid carcinoma with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper
I can help you find recruiting Mucoepidermoid carcinoma studies. Enter a ZIP code, address or city below and I'll look within 50 miles.
Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
Get Signals for Mucoepidermoid carcinoma
Stay in the loop with community stories and updates from medical researchers.
Create a living journal that talks back
HealthStory evolves private journaling with a living AI journal that talks back and asks thoughtful questions, helping you capture your Mucoepidermoid carcinoma experiences more deeply and prepare for better conversations with your doctors and care team.
Your journal is private. Sharing your story publicly is a separate choice, made with Share your story above.