Salivary neoplasms of the jaw bones with particular reference to central mucoepidermoid carcinomas.

Intragnathic salivary-type neoplasms are few in number, are of debated histogenesis, and are most often classified as mucoepidermoid carcinomas. Two generating tissues have been proposed for the origin of these central (intraosseous) tumors: enclaves of salivary tissue and a metaplasia of the linings of odontogenic cysts. They are not mutually exclusive. Although most mucoepidermoid carcinomas have been low grade, these neoplasms nonetheless have a very respectable recurrence rate and can be fatal.