Myoepithelioma of the head and neck

Myoepithelioma of the head and neck, also myoepithelioma, is a salivary gland tumour of the head and neck that is usually benign.[1] When malignant, which is exceedingly rare, they are known as malignant myoepithelioma or Myoepithelial carcinoma, and they account for 1% of the salivary tumors with poor prognosis.[2]

Myoepithelioma of the head and neck
Micrograph of a myoepithelioma. H&E stain.
SpecialtyOncology
TypesBenign, Malignant (rarely)

As the name suggests, it consists of myoepithelial cells. Classically, they are found in the parotid gland or palate.[1] A similar tumor type may be found in the tongue, referred to as ectomesenchymal chondromyxoid tumor.

Pathology

The myoepithelial cells may be spindled, plasmacytoid, eithelioid or clear. Tubules or epithelium are absent, or present in a small amount (<5%) by definition. Tumours with myoepithelial cells and a large amount of tubules are classified as pleomorphic adenomas (which must also contain the characteristic chondromyxoid stroma, which is normally absent in myoepithelioma).

Diagnosis

Myoepitheliomas are diagnosed from an examination of the tissue by a pathologist.

  • Low mag.
    Low mag.
  • High mag.
    High mag.

Treatment

Benign myoepithelioma are treated with simple excision. They are less prone to recurrence than pleomorphic adenoma. Malignant myoepitheliomas are excised and have been treated in the past with dacarbazine but are prone to both metastasis and re-occurrence.

See also

References
  1. Barnes, L.; Appel, BN.; Perez, H.; El-Attar, AM. (Jan 1985). "Myoepithelioma of the head and neck: case report and review". J Surg Oncol. 28 (1): 21–8. doi:10.1002/jso.2930280107. PMID 2982059. S2CID 71988813.
  2. Wu, Tao; Lao, Zhiwei; Tang, Jun (1 January 2014). "Myoepithelial carcinoma of the head and neck: A report of 23 cases and literature review". Cancer Treatment Communications. Cancer Treatment Groups. 2 (2–3): 24–29. doi:10.1016/j.ctrc.2014.08.002. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  3. Smith BC, Ellis GL, Meis-Kindblom JM, Williams SB (May 1995). "Ectomesenchymal chondromyxoid tumor of the anterior tongue. Nineteen cases of a new clinicopathologic entity". Am J Surg Pathol. 19 (5): 519–30. doi:10.1097/00000478-199505000-00003. PMID 7726361. S2CID 21161742.


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