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Published on: May 17, 2024
[Secondary high-malignant transformation of a low-malignant epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma]
M Niederhagen1, P Zengel, S Ihrler
1Pathologisches Institut, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Thalkirchner Strasse 36, 80337 München. Manuel.Niederhagen@med.uni-muenchen.de
Abstract:
The rare entity of epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma (EMC) belongs to a group of tumors with a biphasic ductular growth pattern, mostly with a dominating myoepithelial component and low-grade malignancy. We report on the rare constellation of a primary low-malignant EMC with high malignant transformation (so-called dedifferentiation) into a highly malignant myoepithelial carcinoma. In the eight published cases so far, the high-malignant component was reported to be either adenocarcinoma or undifferentiated carcinoma or was otherwise not specified. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of a high-grade myoepithelial carcinoma transforming from a low-grade EMC. We discuss interesting parallels to the pathogenesis of secondary transformation of carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma.
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