Bilateral epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma of the parotid glands

Head Neck. 2016 Mar;38(3):E73-5. doi: 10.1002/hed.24179. Epub 2015 Aug 28.

Abstract

Background: The most common histological diagnosis of bilateral parotid gland neoplasm is Warthin tumor. Bilateral malignant tumors of the parotid gland are extremely rare.

Methods: A 60-year-old man presented with a painless mass in the right preauricular area and an MRI scan showed multiple masses in the parotid glands, bilaterally. A standard superficial parotidectomy was performed on the right parotid gland followed by subtotal parotidectomy on the left. The diagnosis was synchronous bilateral epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma arising in the parotid glands.

Results: Histopathology of the tumor on both sides indicated epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma. There was no evidence of locoregional or remote disease during a 5-year follow-up period.

Conclusion: Malignant tumors should be included in the differential diagnosis of bilateral parotid gland tumors. Management of unilateral malignant parotid tumors should involve careful observation of the contralateral parotid gland.

Keywords: bilateral; epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma; parotid gland; salivary gland; synchronous.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myoepithelioma / diagnostic imaging
  • Myoepithelioma / pathology*
  • Myoepithelioma / surgery
  • Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / diagnostic imaging
  • Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / pathology*
  • Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / surgery
  • Parotid Gland / diagnostic imaging
  • Parotid Gland / pathology*
  • Parotid Gland / surgery
  • Parotid Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Parotid Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Parotid Neoplasms / surgery