Epithelial-Myoepithelial Carcinoma of the Lacrimal Gland 14 Years After En Bloc Resection of a Pleomorphic Lacrimal Gland Adenoma

Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2016 Mar-Apr;32(2):e42-4. doi: 10.1097/IOP.0000000000000225.

Abstract

Fourteen years after en bloc resection of an orbital pleomorphic adenoma, a 61-year-old female patient developed progressive left proptosis on the same side. A CT scan revealed a round, well-circumscribed, heterogeneously enhancing mass in the lacrimal fossa of the left orbit without calcification or bone erosion. An MRI scan showed a lesion that was hypointense on T1-weighted images and heterogeneously isointense on T2-weighted images. The tumor was completely resected through combined anterior and lateral orbitotomy. On histopathology, the specimen was identified as epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma. After surgery, the patient received adjuvant therapy with irradiation of the orbit. At a 36-month follow-up evaluation, the patient remained tumor-free. Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma, a very uncommon tumor of the orbit, apparently behaves like a low-grade malignancy and is associated with good survival rates. However, a good prognosis for survival is tentative at best, in part because of the rarity of the lesion.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism
  • Adenoma, Pleomorphic / pathology*
  • Adenoma, Pleomorphic / surgery
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Epithelial Cells / pathology*
  • Eye Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Eye Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Eye Neoplasms / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Keratin-7 / metabolism
  • Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / metabolism
  • Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / pathology*
  • Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / surgery
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Middle Aged
  • Myoepithelioma / metabolism
  • Myoepithelioma / pathology*
  • Myoepithelioma / surgery
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary*
  • Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • ACTA2 protein, human
  • Actins
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • CKAP4 protein, human
  • Keratin-7
  • Membrane Proteins