Journal List > Korean J Cytopathol > v.19(2) > 1006524

Korean J Cytopathol. 2008 Sep;19(2):173-177. Korean.
Published online September 30, 2008.  https://doi.org/10.3338/kjc.2008.19.2.173
Copyright © 2008 The Korean Society for Cytopathology
Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology of Epithelial-Myoepithelial Carcinoma of Parotid Gland -A Report of Two Cases-
Hyekyung Lee, M.D., Eunjoo Jang, M.D., Jooheon Kim, M.D., Dongwook Kang, M.D., Hyunjin Son, M.D. and Meeja Park, M.D.
Department of Pathology, Eulji University, College of Medicine, Daejon, Korea.
Received January 15, 2008; Accepted March 25, 2008.

Abstract

Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma (EMC) is a rare low grade malignant tumor of the salivary glands and it shows a characteristic biphasic population of epithelium and myoepithelium. It shows various cytologic and histologic features, so making an exact diagnosis is difficult. We report here on two cases of epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma arising from the parotid gland and we compare the cytologic findings of the aspirated samples with the histologic findings of the tumors. We think the finding of mixed pattern of large, clear myoepithelia and small epithelia is the most valuable finding in the diagnosis of EMC.

Keywords: Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma; Aspiration cytology

Figures


 Fig. 1
Fine needle aspiration cytology of case 1. Three dimensional pseudopapillary formations with scattered individual naked cells (Papanicolaou stain).
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Fig. 2
Fine needle aspiration cytology of case 1. Round hyaline globules surrounded by bland polyhedral cells (Papanicolaou stain).
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Fig. 3
Fine needle aspiration cytology of case 1. Tubules of ductal cells with a background of clear cells (Papanicolaou stain).
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Fig. 4
Fine needle aspiration cytology of case 2. Sheets of spindle myoepithelial cells with ample cytoplasm and well-defined cell borders (H&E).
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Fig. 5
Fine needle aspiration cytology of case 2. Small clusters of epithelial cell arranged in tubules with eosinophilic material. (Papanicolaou stain).
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Fig. 6
Histologic findings of case 1. Several cuboidal, duct-like cells surround the lumens and are surrounded themselves by thick outer mantles of clear myoepithelial cells.(H&E)
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Fig. 7
Immunohistochemical stain of case 1. There are cytokeratin and EMA positive innner ductal epithelia, and S-100 protein and vimentin positive outer myoepithelia
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Fig. 8
Histologic findings of case 2. Ductal epithelial cells arranged in tubules are surrounded by spindle myoepithelial cells (H&E).
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