Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma explained
| Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma |
| Width: | 250 |
| Field: | ENT surgery |
Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma (EMCa) is a rare malignant tumour that typically arises in a salivary gland and consists of both an epithelial and myoepithelial component. They are predominantly found in the parotid gland[1] and represent approximately 1% of salivary gland tumours.[2]
Diagnosis
EMCas are diagnosed by examination of tissue, e.g. a biopsy.
This tumour is characterised by biphasic tubular structures composed of inner ductal and outer clear myoepithelial cells.
Its appearance is very similar to adenomyoepithelioma of the breast, which may be the same tumour at a different anatomical site.[3]
The histologic differential diagnosis includes adenoid cystic carcinoma and pleomorphic adenoma.
Prognosis
They generally have a good prognosis.[1] In one larger study, the 5-year and 10-year survival were over 90% and 80% respectively.[4]
See also
Notes and References
- Kasper HU, Mellin W, Kriegsmann J, Cheremet E, Lippert H, Roessner A . Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma of the salivary gland--a low grade malignant neoplasm? Report of two cases and review of the literature . Pathology, Research and Practice . 195 . 3 . 189–192 . 1999 . 10220800 . 10.1016/S0344-0338(99)80033-8 .
- Tralongo V, Daniele E . Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma of the salivary glands: a review of literature . Anticancer Research . 18 . 1B . 603–608 . 1998 . 9568184 .
- Seifert G . Are adenomyoepithelioma of the breast and epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma of the salivary glands identical tumours? . Virchows Archiv . 433 . 3 . 285–288 . September 1998 . 9769134 . 10.1007/s004280050249 . 40969684 .
- Seethala RR, Barnes EL, Hunt JL . Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma: a review of the clinicopathologic spectrum and immunophenotypic characteristics in 61 tumors of the salivary glands and upper aerodigestive tract . The American Journal of Surgical Pathology . 31 . 1 . 44–57 . January 2007 . 17197918 . 10.1097/01.pas.0000213314.74423.d8 . 9301498 .
