All I know about Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is that it is a rare cancer usually starting in the salivary glands. What I was told was that approximately only 3000 cases are diagnosed in the US annually. The risk factors are usually smoking and heavy drinking. Neither of which I have participated in. More recently they are questioning that excess radiation may be a causitive factor. The most serious form is high grade. My surgeon told me that this form of cancer is considered "aggressive" because it does not stay in just one type of tissue. It invades whatever tissue it touches. Mine included the nerve tissue, bone (jaw), and even two teeth. He told me that the only successful treatment was surgery to clear margins since there was no satifactory results with chemo or radiation at the time of my surgery. I don't know if there have been recent revision of treatment. I was told that that this cancer can also be in the lungs, larynx, or the orbit of the eye, but that is even more rare than in the mouth. I am most interested to know more. I also fear the possibility of return, but each year the fear fades a little more as the percentage of recurrence diminishes. It is very frustrating not to be able to find out more.

Mellay, I was wondering if you have difficulty with speech and swallowing? My most difficult thing post surgery was learning to sense where my tongue was to swallow, speak, chew, etc. since I no longer have my sensing nerve to one half of my tongue. The other was severe muscle spasms that clamp down my jaw really hard, often before I have the chance to get my tongue out of the way. I hope your recovery is speedy with minimal disruption.

Shannon