Benign myoepithelioma of the soft palate: an unusual clinical entity

Abstract

Myoepitheliomas are rare benign tumours that affect the exocrine glands and are sporadically located in the salivary glands. The most common location of myoepithelioma in the oral cavity is the parotid gland and it is seldom encountered in the palate. The diagnosis of this entity is challenging since its clinical presentation may resemble those of more common neoplasms, rendering a complex histopathological diagnosis. The aim of the present case report is to describe an unusual case of myoepithelioma of the soft palate in a male patient, which developed as an asymptomatic, slowly growing mass. The tumour was assessed with histopathological examination and the diagnosis was verified via immunohistochemistry. Finally, the treatment included surgical resection of the tumour and no signs of recurrence were noted 2.5 years after the surgical procedure. Early diagnosis and treatment plays an important role in the prognosis of this pathological entity.

A giant benign myoepithelioma of the palate: report of a case

“…Myoepithelial cells in the salivary glands are located between the basal lamina and the acinar and ductal cells [4]. Neoplastic myoepithelial cell tumors are also found in other exocrine tissues including lacrimal glands, breast, prostate, sweat glands, vestibular mucosa, labial mucosa, nasopharynx, nasal septum, trachea, larynx, lung, esophagus, and retroperitoneum [4]. ME is a type of salivary gland tumor once considered a subtype of pleomorphic adenoma until the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized it as a distinct entity in 1991 [3,5].…”

“…ME in minor salivary glands of the oral cavity is most common on the palate [6, 7, 8]. Clinically ME presents as an asymptomatic, slowly growing tumor in the fourth and fth decades of life with no gender predilection [4,7,9,10,11]. However, an analysis of 15 patients by Cuadra et al showed a 2:1 female predilection [4,5,12].…”

“…Clinically ME presents as an asymptomatic, slowly growing tumor in the fourth and fth decades of life with no gender predilection [4,7,9,10,11]. However, an analysis of 15 patients by Cuadra et al showed a 2:1 female predilection [4,5,12]. Few cases of palatal myoepithelioma have been reported in children and adolescents [9].…”

“…These cells are important in the secretion of saliva. Myoepithelial cells in the salivary glands are located between the basal lamina and the acinar and ductal cells [4]. Neoplastic myoepithelial cell tumors are also found in other exocrine tissues including lacrimal glands, breast, prostate, sweat glands, vestibular mucosa, labial mucosa, nasopharynx, nasal septum, trachea, larynx, lung, esophagus, and retroperitoneum [4].…”