An unusual presentation of aggressive epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma of the nasal cavity with high-grade histology

Abstract

Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma is an uncommon, low-grade carcinoma that generally occurs in the salivary glands. A few cases of epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma arising in the nasal cavity have been reported. We describe a unique case of aggressive epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma in the nasal cavity. A 36-year-old woman presented with a mass in her left nasal cavity. Histopathological evaluation revealed it to be an epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma with overt nuclear atypia, frequent mitoses and necrosis. The tumour recurred in the contralateral nasal cavity 15 months following primary excision. Medial maxillectomy and radiation therapy were performed. Seven-month follow up revealed extensive bone metastases. We report a rare case of aggressive epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma in the nasal cavity, with high-grade histology.