PRIMARY MYOEPITHELIAL CARCINOMA OF THE PALATE: REPORT OF AN UNCOMMON SALIVARY GLAND TUMOR

Abstract

Myoepithelial carcinoma is considered an extremely rare (0.45%-1%) malignant salivary gland neoplasm. A 45-year-old male patient presented with a slow-growing ulcerated mass on the palate, measuring approximately 5 cm in diameter. The patient reported a history of 3 years since first noticing the lesion. Medical history was noncontributory. An incisional biopsy was performed, and histological analysis revealed proliferation of cells with predominantly ovoid and sometimes fusiform or plasmacytoid morphology, with hyperchromatic basophilic nuclei and slightly eosinophilic cytoplasm. Neoplastic cells were organized mainly into cords, assuming a trabecular aspect, and islets. An increase in the number of mitoses and karyorrhexis figures was observed. The tumor showed a fibrous stroma exhibiting mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate and vascular invasion. Immunohistochemistry reactions were positive for CK14, p63, S-100, and vimentin and negative for CK7. A diagnosis of myoepithelial carcinoma was made and the patient was referred for cancer treatment. Myoepithelial carcinoma is considered an extremely rare (0.45%-1%) malignant salivary gland neoplasm. A 45-year-old male patient presented with a slow-growing ulcerated mass on the palate, measuring approximately 5 cm in diameter. The patient reported a history of 3 years since first noticing the lesion. Medical history was noncontributory. An incisional biopsy was performed, and histological analysis revealed proliferation of cells with predominantly ovoid and sometimes fusiform or plasmacytoid morphology, with hyperchromatic basophilic nuclei and slightly eosinophilic cytoplasm. Neoplastic cells were organized mainly into cords, assuming a trabecular aspect, and islets. An increase in the number of mitoses and karyorrhexis figures was observed. The tumor showed a fibrous stroma exhibiting mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate and vascular invasion. Immunohistochemistry reactions were positive for CK14, p63, S-100, and vimentin and negative for CK7. A diagnosis of myoepithelial carcinoma was made and the patient was referred for cancer treatment.