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High-grade mucoepidermoid carcinomas show greater tendency to local recurrences, regional lymph node metastases, and distant metastases. The 5-yr survival is about 56% and 98% in high-grade and low-grade tumors respectively. Favorable prognostic indicators include younger age, female sex, and parotid location. Adverse prognostic indicators include submandibular location, extraglandular extension, necrosis, vascular invasion, and high mitotic rate.

Earlier reports suggested that the presence of this translocation imparted a favorable prognosis. However, the authors of the original study have recently published an update reversing their stand (MAML2 Status In Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma Can No Longer Be Considered a Prognostic Marker).

The image from a low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma shows inflammatory response incited by the spillage of mucin into the stroma. Note the mucinous cells lining glandular spaces on the top right.

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