EPITHELIAL-MYOEPITHELIAL CARCINOMA OF PAROTID GLAND, INITIALLY DIAGNOSED AS PLEOMORPHIC ADENOMA: CASE REPORT

Kemal  BEHZATOĞLU; Canan  TOPÇUOĞLU; Burak  BAHADIR; Nilsen Yıldırım  BAHADIR; Erol Rüştü  BOZKURT

Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma is a rare, low grade malignant tumor of salivary glands, with a propensity for local invasion and recurrence. Histologically, it has a biphasic cellular composition. Considering that the histologic appearance of epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma has some features resembling to the other salivary gland tumors, the differential diagnosis should include a number of tumors; pleomorphic adenoma being the first. Our case represents a 72-year-old female presented with a growing and painful mass in her left cheek and with a history of previous parotid mass, resected and diagnosed as a pleomorphic adenoma five years ago. We present this case to remind once more that epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma, previously reported under a variety of names, is a new and specific entity, and to emphasize the importance of its differential diagnosis.