Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma of the parotid gland associated with a primary carcinoma of the lung

Abstract

We describe the case of a 64-year-old man who presented with a rare salivary gland tumour, an epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma. This was removed but recurred and required further surgery and radiotherapy. At the time of the patient's 2nd admission, a further primary tumour was detected. This proved to be a primary mixed adeno and squamous carcinoma of lung: a thoracotomy was performed and a lobectomy. The patient died suddenly 11 months later because of cor pulmonale. We describe the histology of epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma and the immunohistochemical appearances of the tumour on staining for S-100, vimentin and keratin. The literature on this lesion is reviewed and radical surgery with post-operative radiotherapy are recommended as the best therapeutic approach. The literature on coincident second primary tumours in patients with salivary gland neoplasia is also reviewed. This is only the second case in which this phenomenon has been observed with epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma.