Epithelial‐myoepithelial carcinoma of the maxillary sinus: A rare case

Abstract

Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma (EMC) is a rare tumor that commonly involves the salivary glands. EMC of the maxillary sinus is extremely rare. We describe here a case of a 50-year-old patient who presented with right cheek swelling for 7 years and bilateral nasal obstruction and right nasal bleeding for 3 months. A pinkish polypoidal mass was seen in the right nasal cavity. Computed tomography scan revealed an expansile soft tissue mass in the right maxillary sinus with erosion of all of its walls. Histopathological examination of the excised specimen confirmed myoepithelial carcinoma with positive reaction to S-100 and smooth muscle actin. Subsequently, the patient developed regional nodal metastasis in the neck for which neck dissection was performed. Histopathology of the neck dissection specimen revealed metastatic EMC. EMC is rare tumor and a diagnostic dilemma. It should be considered in cases showing dual tumor cell population with clear cell change in histopathology. Common differential diagnosis includes metastatic renal cell carcinoma, acinic cell carcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, mucoepidermoid carcinoma, oncocytoma, and sebaceous carcinoma. Laryngoscope, 2012.

Intraoral Pigmented Low-Grade Adenocarcinoma, Not Otherwise Specified: Case Report and Immunohistochemical Study

“…This neoplasm is classically composed of two populations: epithelial and myoepithelial cells. The former population defines a ductal architecture, while the latter population is localized peripherally and presents classically clear cytoplasm [33,34]. Different from current case, in EMC the typical bilayered arrangement of inner ductal cells and outer myoepithelial cells is highlighted by immunohistochemistry.…”

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

“…A relatively rare disease, epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma mostly develops in the parotid gland, but 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 the best of our knowledge, only one other case of epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma in the subglottic region has been reported previously [ 6 ].…”

“…When it intrudes into the parotid gland, the symptoms vary from subclinical tumentia to facial nerve palsy. When it encroaches into the larynx, as found in our case, various symptoms can occur depending on the carcinoma’s size, ranging from no symptoms to voice changes and respiratory obstruction [ 2 , 4 , 5 ].…”

“…As the term suggests, epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma comprises two cell groups with distinct features, which are the key to diagnosis. It usually develops in major salivary glands such as the parotid gland, but infrequently occurs in the maxillary sinus, trachea, and larynx [ 2 , 4 , 5 ].…”

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

“…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].…”