Metastasis of malignant myoepithelial carcinoma to the brain

BMJ Case Rep. 2018 Jul 18:2018:bcr2018224285. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2018-224285.

Abstract

Myoepithelial tumours are a rare form of salivary gland neoplasm and intracranial metastases have rarely been described. The authors present the case of a 61-year-old patient with a history of primary myoepithelial carcinoma of the right foot. Metastases were found in the third ventricle, left temporal lobe and right frontal lobe. The third ventricular and left temporal lobe tumours were resected in a two-stage operation. Pathology of the third ventricular lesion was most consistent with metastasis. MRI of the spine 2 weeks after his operation revealed an intradural mass with several lesions in the lumbar thecal space suggesting further metastases. The patient succumbed to his disease 2 months after his two-stage operation and 5 years after his initial diagnosis. This appears to be the first case in the literature of multiple primary myoepithelial carcinoma metastases to the brain. Further information is needed to provide diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations.

Keywords: neurooncology; neurosurgery; pathology.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid / secondary*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myoepithelioma / secondary*
  • Salivary Gland Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Spinal Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Spinal Neoplasms / secondary

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor