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. 2011 Sep 14:9:104.
doi: 10.1186/1477-7819-9-104.

Primary myoepithelial carcinoma of palate

Juan Ren  1 , Zi Liu, Xiaoping Liu, Yi Li, Xiaozhi Zhang, Zongfang Li, Yunyi Yang, Ya Yang, Yuanyuan Chen, Shiwen Jiang
Affiliations

Primary myoepithelial carcinoma of palate

Juan Ren et al. World J Surg Oncol. .

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to present a rare neoplasm, Primary myoepithelial carcinoma arising from the palate, and to review its diagnostic criteria, pathologic and clinical characteristics, treatment options and prognosis.

Clinical presentation and intervention: Myoepitheliomas are tumors arising from myoepithelial cells mainly or exclusively. Myoepitheliomas mostly occur in salivary glands, as well as in breast, skin, and lung. Case of myoepitheliomas in palate has rarely been reported. Myoepithelial carcinoma is malignant counterpart of myoepitheliomas. Adenomyoepithelioma is also a different disease from myoepitheliaomas. Immunohistochemically, tumor cells of myoepithelial carcinoma express not only epithelial markers such as cytokeratin, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), but also markers of smooth muscle origin such as calponin. The immunohistochemical criteria of myoepithelial differentiation are double positive for both cytokeratins and one or more myoepithelial immunomarkers (i.e., S-100 protein, calponin, p63, GFAP, maspin, and actins). Myoepithelial carcinomas of salivary and breast demonstrate copy number gains and gene deletion. The overall prognosis of myoepithelial carcinoma is poor. There is rarely recurrence or metastasis in benign myoepithelial tumors. Complete excision with tumor-free margin is always the preferred treatment, while local radiation therapy and chemotherapy are suggestive treatment options. Here, a rare case of myoepithelial carcinoma arising from the palate has been described and discussed for the treatment and outcome. Pathological and clinical characters of myoepitheliomas are also compared and discussed.

Conclusion: The case report serves to increase awareness and improve the index of diagnosis and treatment of myoepitheliomas.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
HE staining. (b): 10 ×; (C), (d): 20 ×; (e),(f): 40 ×.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Immunohistochemical staining, Brown particle was regarded as positive staining signal. (a), Immunostaining of Calponin (200 ×), Calponin antibody was from Zhong Shan and was 1:100 diluted; (b), Immunostaining of S-100 (200 ×), S-100 antibody was from Zhong Shan and was 1:80 diluted; (c), Immunostaining of cytokeratin (200 ×), CK antibody was from MaiXin and was 1:60 diluted; (d), Immunostaining of desmin (200 ×), desmin antibody was from Zhong Shan and was 1:80 diluted; (e), Immunostaining of EMA (200 ×), EMA antibody was from Zhong Shan and was 1:80 diluted; (f), Immunostaining of GFAP (200 ×), GFAP antibody was from MaiXin and was 1:80 diluted; (g), Immunostaining of human melanoma black45(HMB45) (200 ×), HMB45 antibody was from MaiXin and was 1:80 diluted; (h), Immunostaining of Ki-67 (200 ×), Ki-67 antibody was from Zhong Shan and was 1:80 diluted; (i), Immunostaining of microglobulin (200 ×), microglobulin antibody was from Zhong Shan and was 1:80 diluted.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The target region of radiotherapy included the tumor bed and regional lymph drainage area.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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