Myoepithelial Carcinoma

Surg Pathol Clin. 2021 Mar;14(1):67-73. doi: 10.1016/j.path.2020.09.008. Epub 2021 Jan 5.

Abstract

Myoepithelial carcinoma (MECA) may overlap histologically with other salivary gland neoplasms, especially pleomorphic adenoma. MECA is characterized by cellular, uniform growth of myoepithelial cells and multinodular expansile invasive pattern with zonal cellular distribution. It may arise de novo or in association with pleomorphic adenoma (myoepithelial carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma). By immunohistochemistry, MECA is positive for cytokeratins and at least one of the myoepithelial markers, including S100. PLAG1 fusion is the most common genetic alteration. Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma and necrosis correlate with worse clinical outcome in MECA, and necrosis can be used to stratify MECA as high grade.

Keywords: Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma; Myoepithelial carcinoma; PLAG1; Pleomorphic adenoma.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma, Pleomorphic / diagnosis
  • Adenoma, Pleomorphic / pathology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Epithelial Cells / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Myoepithelioma / diagnosis
  • Myoepithelioma / pathology*
  • Necrosis
  • Neoplasm Grading
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / diagnosis
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / pathology
  • Prognosis
  • Salivary Gland Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Salivary Gland Neoplasms / pathology*