Primary cutaneous myoepithelial carcinoma: a case report and review of the literature

Subcutaneous Myoepithelioma in the Extremity: A Potential Pitfall in the Differential Diagnosis of Subcutaneous Tumors

We present a rare case of myoepithelioma in the subcutaneous layer of the shoulder with ultrasonography (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). US showed a lobulated hyperechoic mass, leading to an impression of lipoma. MRI showed the mass with low signal intensity on T1-weighted images (T1WI), high signal intensity on fat-suppressed T2-weighted images (T2WI), intermediate signal intensity on T2WI, and intense enhancement with adjacent fascial thickening. Imaging findings of soft tissue myoepithelioma have not been established. We report its US and MRI features mimicking features from a lipomatous tumor to infiltrative malignancy. Although soft tissue myoepithelioma has nonspecific image findings to confirm its diagnosis, some findings may help to make the differential diagnosis. Preoperative pathologic confirmation is recommended in a soft tissue neoplasm.

Primary myoepithelial carcinoma of the Vulva: Case of a rare tumor with malignant potential and review of literature

•Primary myoepithelial carcinoma is rare with a handful of cases reported from the vulva.•There is no standard of treatment for primary myoepithelial carcinoma.•Current recommendations suggest excision with wide margins to be the best therapy.•Chemotherapy and immunotherapy should be considered in combination with excision.

Soft tissue myoepithelial carcinoma-a case report with molecular and electron microscopic analysis

Myoepithelial tumors are rare neoplasms that primarily occur in the salivary gland but over the last decade have also been described in other locations, including soft tissue. Myoepithelial carcinoma of soft tissue has shown to have a recurrence rate of 39-42% and distant metastases in 32-53% of patients. The only known predictor of malignancy in soft tissue myoepithelial tumors described is cytologic atypia. There are no other validated criteria for differentiating benign and malignant tumors, neither for grading nor for standard of care for these tumor types. Herein, we present a case of myoepithelial carcinoma of inguinal soft tissue in a 37-year male. We also describe the molecular and previously sparingly described detailed electron microscopic features of this case.

Cutaneous Myoepithelioma: An Unusual Tumor in the Hand

Cutaneous myoepithelioma (CM) is a rare tumor among the primary skin neoplasms. We present the case of a patient with a diagnosis of CM in the right hypothenar region. Histological study showed a proliferation of myoepithelial cells with a solid, reticular growth pattern in a chondromyxoid stroma. The tumor cells were positive for CK AE, S-100, EMA, and p63.

Association between prognosis and complete resection in primary cutaneous myoepithelial carcinoma: two case presentations and literature review

Myoepithelial carcinoma is a rare tumor that occurs in the salivary glands. Therefore, primary cutaneous myoepithelial carcinoma is extremely rare. The malignancy of this tumor is due to its aggressive nature and high metastatic potential. Despite the general consideration that primary cutaneous myoepithelial carcinoma has a poor prognosis, there are few available prognostic data. Herein, we report two cases of primary cutaneous myoepithelial carcinoma to expand the literature on the clinical and pathological characteristics of this disease. In case 1, the tumor was completely resected and sentinel lymph node biopsy was performed, resulting in long-term survival. In contrast, case 2 progressed aggressively with multiple bone metastases despite treatment with docetaxel chemotherapy, and the patient ultimately died of the disease. Only 14 cases, including the present two cases, of primary cutaneous myoepithelial carcinoma have been reported to date. Overall, patients with clinical regional or distant metastases show a severe clinical course. Nevertheless, even in cases of inappropriate resection or local recurrence, if complete resection is ultimately achieved prior to clinical metastasis, the prognosis is good and survival is prolonged. Therefore, obtaining complete resection appears to be the most important treatment strategy for primary cutaneous myoepithelial carcinoma.

Presumed choroidal metastasis from soft tissue myoepithelial carcinoma

Purpose

To report a case of presumed choroidal metastasis from soft tissue myoepithelial carcinoma and highlight challenges in its diagnosis.

Observations

A 52-year-old man was referred with a two-week history of photopsia in his left eye. His background medical history included known soft tissue myoepithelial carcinoma metastatic to his bone, lung, liver and chest wall. A large, raised, yellow choroidal lesion was identified nasal to and abutting the optic disc. This lesion demonstrated growth 1 month after presentation. The patient died with widespread metastatic disease 5 months after initial presentation.

Conclusion and importance

Soft tissue myoepithelial carcinoma can rarely metastasise to the choroid and present as a rapidly-growing, yellow, echodense tumour with serous retinal detachment. MRI brain can assist in tumour evaluation and monitoring progression, while immunoperoxidase stains and molecular testing can assist with diagnosis. The condition has an aggressive natural history and poor prognosis.

Neoadjuvant radiation therapy for the management of myoepithelial carcinoma of the upper extremity

Myoepithelial tumors of the soft tissue are a rare tumor displaying myoepithelial elements and lacking obvious ductal differentiation. The rarity of these precludes any evidence-based consensus regarding optimal management. Nevertheless, the current approach to these lesions begins with amputation or complete excision. The efficacy of neoadjuvant or adjuvant radiation therapy or chemotherapy has not been established. Here, we present the first report to the authors' knowledge of neoadjuvant radiation therapy for the treatment of this rare soft tissue neoplasm and review the management and outcomes of published cases of myoepithelial carcinoma. A patient with a soft tissue myoepithelial carcinoma that declined both amputation and chemotherapy was treated with neoadjuvant radiation therapy and wide surgical excision followed by a brachytherapy boost to the resected tumor bed. Neoadjuvant radiation therapy resulted in an excellent response with extensive treatment-related changes consisting predominantly of fibrosis, hyalinization and hemorrhage and only 10% residual viable myoepithelial carcinoma present in the surgical specimen.

Soft Tissue Myoepithelial Carcinoma of the Neck with Spinal Invasion

Soft tissue myoepithelial neoplasms are a rare yet diverse group of tumors, ranging from benign to malignant lesions. Their presentation in the head and neck region is uncommon and represents a challenging diagnosis. Early identification of myoepithelial carcinoma is crucial given its more aggressive course compared to its benign counterpart, although the histopathological distinction between the two can be difficult. EWSR1 gene rearrangement is found in half the cases and has a speculative role in pathogenesis. Complete excision remains the treatment of choice. The roles of chemotherapy and radiation are unclear. We report the hospital course of a 33-year-old female who presented to our institution with a posterior neck mass with spinal invasion, diagnosed as myoepithelial cancer. A literature review of these rare tumors is discussed here.

The utility of positron emission tomography with and without computed tomography in patients with nonmelanoma skin cancer

Combined positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) scans are widely used in the staging and monitoring of most malignancies. The differential for PET-positive cutaneous lesions includes primary skin cancers, infections, cutaneous metastases from distant malignancies, and benign neoplasms. In dermatology, PET/CT scans have been most widely studied in patients with melanoma and Merkel cell carcinoma. The role of PET/CT scans in the management of other cutaneous malignancies is less clear, but it has shown great promise in the management of patients with squamous cell carcinoma and cutaneous lymphoma. This review seeks to address the usefulness of PET/CT scans in nonmelanoma skin cancer and to provide guidance regarding the management of patients with incidental PET-positive nodules. Currently, there is limited experience with PET/CT scans for staging and monitoring of non-head and neck metastatic basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, and results show limited sensitivity and specificity. We also address the evidence for management of an incidental PET-positive cutaneous nodule and recommend obtaining a biopsy specimen in patients with a known noncutaneous malignancy, a history of primary skin cancer, or a high risk of either cutaneous or noncutaneous malignancy.