Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma arising from the subglottis: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

BackgroundEpithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma is an extremely rare disease that usually occurs in the parotid gland but can occur in a variety of sites such as the nasal cavity, paranasal sinus, and base of the tongue.Case presentationWe report a rare case of epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma, which developed in the subglottic region. A 78-year-old Korean woman visited our hospital complaining of hoarseness, which had developed 1 month previously. Flexible laryngoscopy showed a round mass that blocked approximately 80 % of the tracheal diameter. Complete excision of the mass was carried out under general anesthesia, using a transoral approach. Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma was diagnosed following immunohistochemical analysis.ConclusionsWe report a rare case of epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma that occurred in the subglottic region. To the best of our knowledge, only one other case has been reported since this disease was first identified approximately 40 years ago.

Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma of the supraclavicular region: An unusual cause of dyspnea

“…Although EMC mostly develops in the parotid gland, some reports claim that it also occurs in the nasal cavity, paranasal sinus, nasopharynx, bronchus, lung, lacrimal gland, submandibular gland, and base of the tongue [2, 4, 5]. To our knowledge, no case of EMC in the supraclavicular region has been reported previously.…”

“…EMC is a typically a low-grade malignant neoplasm, but in rare cases, the tumor may metastasize to distant sites. It has been highlighted that EMC develops more commonly in women and has a higher incidence in the fifth to eighth decades [2]. The symptoms of EMC vary depending on its anatomic position and size.…”

“…On histology, EMC is characterized by the presence of tubules with two distinct types of cells. The main histological features of EMC are epithelial cells in the inner layer of the lumen and myoepithelial cells surrounding the outer layer [2, 6]. In immunohistochemical analysis, myoepithelial cells in the outer layer are positive for calponin, p63 protein, glial fibrillary acidic protein, S-100 protein, and SMA.…”

“…In immunohistochemical analysis, myoepithelial cells in the outer layer are positive for calponin, p63 protein, glial fibrillary acidic protein, S-100 protein, and SMA. Epithelial cells in the inner layer are positive for cytokeratin-7 and epithelial membrane antigen [2].…”

“…EMC includes two cell groups with distinct features, which are the key to diagnosis. EMC is a rare tumor representing approximately 1% of the salivary gland tumors [2]. EMC usually develops in major salivary glands, such as the parotid gland, but infrequently occurs in the maxillary sinus, trachea, tongue, lung and larynx [3–5].…”