Background and purpose: Salivary gland myoepithelial carcinoma (MC) is a rare malignant salivary gland neoplasm
and its diagnosis and treatment remain controversial. This study aimed to discuss the clinical features
pathological manifestation
immunohistochemical phenotype and therapy in order to make progress in diagnosis and treatment of salivary gland MC. Methods: The clinical data of 12 cases of salivary gland MC from Jan. 2010 to Jun. 2016 were analyzed. The average age of the 12 cases was (48.9±12.2) years. Microscopic changes were analyzed after the sections were stained with routine H-E and immunohistochemical methods. 11 cases received radical surgery only
and 2 cases received postoperative radiotherapy. One case with incomplete resection was administered with 4 cycles of docetaxel+cisplatin chemotherapy regimen (120 mg docetaxel on day 1 and 40 mg cisplatin on days 1‑3
every 28 days). Results: Seven cases occurred in parotid glands and 5 occurred in minor salivary glands. The common size of MC was between 2 and 5 centimeters. Tumors in section appeared off white or grey pink
the capsules were intact
the boundaries were unclear
and necrosis and liquescence existed. Clear cells were predominant in MC
while epithelioid
plasmacytoid
and spindle cells also existed. Cell atypia was obvious and necrosis and liquescence were shown in 4 cases. CK
S-100
EMA
SMA
calponin
p63
Vim and Ki-67 were expressed in 12
7
7
4
8
11
5 and 9 cases
respectively. Ki-67 labelling index was 2%~40%
and 15% was the average. The follow-up time was 2-78 months. Local recurrence and metastasis were not detected in 10 cases who underwent extended resection
and 1 case died of renal myoepithelial carcinoma 5 months after operation. One case died 3 months after chemotherapy. Conclusion: The histological changes of myoepithelial carcinoma cells are diverse. Pathological methods and the immunohistochemical examination of CK
p63
Ki-67
S-100
Vim
calponin
EMA and SMA are helpful for improving the diagnosis rate. Surgery with tumour-free margins is the main treatment for myoepithelial carcinoma. Neck dissection is not necessary for the cases without local lymphatic metastasis.
Guidelines for breast cancer diagnosis and treatment by China Anti-Cancer Association (2026 edition)
China Anti-Cancer Association guideline for diagnosis and treatment of neuroendocrine neoplasms (2025 edition)
Current status and prospect of diagnosis and treatment of bone metastasis of thyroid cancer
Chinese expert consensus on clinical practice of locally advanced gastric cancer invading adjacent organs (2024 edition)
Guidelines for breast cancer diagnosis and treatment by China Anti-cancer Association (2024 edition)
Related Author
The Society of Breast Cancer China Anti-Cancer Association
Breast Oncology Group of the Oncology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association
of Neuroendocrine Neoplasm of China Anti-Cancer Association Society
Yihan ZHAO
Ruochen LI
Yansong LIN
Professional Committee on Gastric Cancer of Shanghai Anticancer Association
Professional Committee on Gastrointestinal Cancer of China Association for Promotion of Health Science and Technology
Related Institution
Department of Nuclear Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Diagnosis and Therapy in Nuclear Medicine
Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University; Pancreatic Cancer Institute, Fudan University; Shanghai Pancreatic Cancer Institute