Myoepithelioma of the parotid gland: Case report and review of literature

The present paper describes the clinical and pathologic features of a benign myoepithelioma of the parotid gland. Through 1985, only 42 other cases had been reported in the literature: three malignant and 39 benign. Fewer than 100 cases had been reported through 1993. The number of case reports of myoepitheliomas is increasing as pathologists have become more aware of their existence. This uncommon tumor is most commonly diagnosed in the parotid gland and in the minor salivary glands of the palate. The complex and varied morphologic expression of neoplastic myoepithelium have attracted numerous investigators who have presented valuable but often contradictory data. It is our opinion that these tumors are not as rare as is generally believed, but they are simply not well recognized. Together with a review of the literature, consideration are presented on the clinical evaluation, differential diagnosis and treatment of these lesions.