Salivary glands: report of a rare case of myoepithelial carcinoma involving tongue base treated by CO2 Laser

Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2009 Jun;29(3):156-9.

Abstract

Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma is a rare malignant tumour of the salivary glands. Herewith, the clinical evolution, anatomo-pathological characteristics and treatment adopted are described in a case occurring in the minor salivary glands of the tongue base. To our knowledge, this location has not been previously described in the literature. In fact, due to the rarity of the epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma, there is no uniformity of data in the literature and very different therapeutic strategies have been suggested. In this report, the possibility of applying conservative surgery using CO(2) Laser is proposed. Results obtained in the case described confirm that conservative surgery is feasible in this type of neoplastic lesion of the tongue.

Il carcinoma mioepiteliale è una neoplasia che raramente interessa il tessuto ghiandolare. Gli Autori illustrano un caso di carcinoma mioepiteliale insorto nel tessuto salivare della base della lingua e trattato con successo mediante il laser a CO2. Data la rarità della neoplasia, non sono descritti precedenti in letteratura né, conseguentemente, sono illustrati protocolli terapeutici. In conclusione, gli Autori dimostrano che la chirurgia conservativa è possibile per questo tipo di lesioni.

Keywords: CO2 Laser; Myoepithelial carcinoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Carcinoma / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma / surgery*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lasers, Gas / therapeutic use*
  • Sublingual Gland Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Sublingual Gland Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Tongue Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Tongue Neoplasms / surgery*