Abstract
Malignant myoepithelioma (or myoepithelial carcinoma) is an uncommon malignant tumor newly adopted as a separate entity in the revised WHO classification of salivary gland tumors (1991).Two criteria must be satisfied for the diagnosis of malignant myoepithelioma: (1) its neoplastic cells must be myoepithelial in nature, and (2) the tumor must be clinically identified as malignant. Although these criteria seem obvious, it is often difficult to diagnose this tumor definitively. In general, a combination of morphologic, ultrastructural, and immunohistochemical investigations is required to demonstrate myoepithelial differentiation in this tumor, and cytologic features indicating infiltrative growth must be reviewed to assess malignant potential. Most malignant myoepitheliomas occur in the parotid gland, but metastases are uncommon. Of 36 reported cases, 10 originated in the minor salivary gland and, 7 had metastasized to distant sites. We describe two cases of malignant myoepithelioma in which clinical and histopathological findings suggest malignant transformation.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Japanese Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
