Malignant Myoepithelioma of the Palate: A Case Report with Review of the Clinicopathological Characteristics

Abstract

A malignant myoepithelioma is one of the rarest salivary gland neoplasms which may either arise de novo or develop within a preexisting pleomorphic adenoma or benign myoepithelioma. The parotid gland is the most common primary site and the palate the most common intra-oral site of occurrence. Herein is present a case of a malignant myoepithelioma arising in the hard palate of a 79-year-old woman. The lesion had been examined by biopsy at another hospital, and diagnosed as a poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. The patient underwent a wide local tumor resection. Examination of the resection specimen showed the characteristic histopathological and immunohistochemical features of a malignant myoepithelioma. Five months after the operation, the patient was well without evidence of recurrence or metastasis.