Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma Histology — MFDS Part 1 MCQ
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Correct answer: D — Mucous cells, epidermoid cells and intermediate cells
Mucoepidermoid carcinoma characteristically contains an admixture of mucous, epidermoid (squamoid) and intermediate cells, although their proportions and architecture vary between tumours. Mucous cells commonly line cystic spaces, whereas epidermoid and intermediate cells may form solid nests. Option B describes pleomorphic adenoma, which combines epithelial and myoepithelial elements with chondromyxoid stroma. Option E is characteristic of acinic cell carcinoma. Option C describes the typical epithelial and stromal components of Warthin tumour. Option A describes the cribriform architecture and hyaline material associated with adenoid cystic carcinoma. Cellular proportions alone should not be used as a complete grading system for mucoepidermoid carcinoma.
Reference: Kuo YJ, et al. Expanding the cytological and architectural spectrum of mucoepidermoid carcinoma: The key to solving diagnostic problems in morphological variants. Human Pathology. 2024. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38609754/