Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma in the hard palate: a case report.

BACKGROUND

Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma (EMC) is an uncommon salivary gland tumor.

CASE: EMC arising from the minor salivary gland of the hard palate is very rare. A 70-year-old man presented with a nodular swelling in the hard palate. Fine needle aspiration cytology revealed biphasic epithelial (small cell) and myoepithelial (large/clear cell) clusters in a pseudopapillary and trabecular pattern. The cytology was reported as salivary gland neoplasm. The mass was excised and the histomorphology was suggestive of a low grade EMC. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated the biphasic nature of the tumor and confirmed the diagnosis of EMC. Follow-up for 2 years post surgery to date did not show any recurrence or metastases.

CONCLUSION

Though exact cytologic typing of EMC was not possible; this case highlights the importance of awareness of this tumor in the differential diagnosis of biphasic tumors of the salivary gland.