Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma of the oral cavity minor salivary gland

An epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma arising from the oral cavity minor salivary gland in a 81year-old man is reported. The patient suffered from a large tumor with ulcération of the soft palate, however, his swallowing and speech were not disturbed. The tumor showed characteristic histological features, such as double-layered tubular structures composed of inner ductal cells and outer clear cells. Inner ductal cells were positive for epithelial membrane antigen. Outer clear cells had rich glycogen and were positive for S-100 protein. The inner and outer cells differentiated into epithelial and myoepithelial cells, respectively. The tumor is considered biologically to be a low grade malignancy because of its pattern of local infiltration growth and low rate of recurrence and metastasis. In this case, métastases to a cervical lymph node and the liver were detected. Although no treatment for the primary lesion has been performed, the patient is still alive at home one year after the diagnosis.