STM Article Repository

Myoepitheliomas are rare tumors of salivary gland constituting less than 1% of all salivary gland
tumors. The growth patterns may be solid, myxoid or reticular and the component cells may be
spindle shaped, plasmacytoid, hyaline, clear or epithelioid.
Aim: Myoepithelioma of salivary glands are extremely rare, comprising approximately only 1-1.5% of
all salivary gland tumors.
Background: Minor Salivary gland tumors are infrequent, representing 10-15% of all salivary
neoplasms. Their frequent location is parotid gland & myoepithelioma from palatal salivary glands is
considered as a rare entity. Yet again, the Plasmacytoid Myoepithelioma from palatal salivary glands
is sporadic, till date it has been reported merely 15 cases.
Case Description: Here we report a 51 years old female patient with a slow growing palatal swelling.
Cytological features of FNAC were suggestive of Myoepithelioma. The patient underwent wide
surgical excision of lesion and after a month patient was followed up wherein oronasal communication
was existing, subsequently patient was provided with the maxillary obturator.
Conclusion: In conclusion, Myoepithelioma of salivary glands are unusual tumors with plasmacytoid
variants still sporadic. Because of their infrequent variable growth patterns and often because of
increased cellularity they can be misdiagnosed. Clinically, its presentation may resemble pleomorphic
adenoma, which hampers the correct diagnosis.
Clinical Relevance: This case report reinforces the need to alert dentists to include Myoepithelioma
in the differential diagnosis of palatal swellings in elderly patients.