Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma of the parotid gland: Clinicopathological aspect, diagnosis and surgical consideration

The present paper describes the clinical and pathological features of epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma (EMC) of the parotid gland. This rare tumor represents <1% of all salivary gland tumors and arises most commonly in the parotid gland, but it has also been described in the submandibular gland, minor salivary glands and palate. EMC is considered to be a low-grade malignant tumor that may commonly recur locally after resection in 23-50% of cases. The complex and varied morphological expression of this neoplasm has attracted numerous investigators, who have presented valuable but often contradictory data. After an in-depth analysis of the clinicopathological aspects of EMC, we speculate that adequate resection with negative soft-tissue margins is the minimum recommended and necessary therapy.