Rare case of giant myoepithelioma in minor salivary glands of palate in a 9-year-old child

Abstract

Myoepitheliomas (MEs) are extremely rare benign neoplasms composed of ectodermally derived contractile smooth muscle cells (myoepithelial cells). Various tissues such as the salivary glands, breast, larynx, and sweat glands show the presence of these myoepithelial cells. They occur, principally, in the parotid gland and infrequently in minor salivary glands. The term “Myoepitheliomas” was first coined by Sheldon in 1943. It is an uncommon salivary gland tumor which accounts for < 1% of all major and minor salivary gland tumors. Batasakis considers the ME to be “one-sided” variant at the opposite end of the spectrum from the pleomorphic adenoma. There are distinct histological and immunohistochemical characteristics of the tumor which aid in the diagnosis. ME of the palate is uncommon, and only a limited number of cases have been reported in the English literature. It shows a benign clinical course with recurrence in up to 20% of cases without metastasis. The present article sheds light on the presence of ME of minor salivary glands in the palate of 9-year-old child.