Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma of salivary glands

Article Abstract:

The salivary glands are located in the mouth and make saliva, which both lubricates the mouth and aids in the digestion of food. There are several different types of salivary glands, such as the parotid (located at the back of the mouth on each side), the submaxillary (located in the neck) and the sublingual (located under the tongue). Also, there are several different types of salivary gland tumors, which can be distinguished from one another by microscopic examination. Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma is a rare salivary gland tumor. It accounts for only 1 percent of all salivary gland tumors. The average age of patients who develop such tumors is about 60, and most of the tumors of this type occur in the parotid gland. Since this gland is located near the major nerve in the face (the facial nerve), a tumor in this gland can put pressure on this nerve, causing pain and partial paralysis in the face. This type of tumor was originally thought to be benign (noncancerous), but it is now classified as a less severe form of malignant tumor. The cases of four patients with epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma are presented. The type of tumor was diagnosed based on its distinct structure. The tumors were removed during surgery, and in only one case did the tumor grow back. In another study, seven patients with this type of tumor underwent surgery, and the tumors reappeared in five of the patients. The rate of recurrence was 37 percent in a study that included 35 cases of this type of tumor, and the tumors spread to the lymph nodes in 17 percent of these patients. It is concluded that epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma is a malignant tumor with a distinct appearance, and it should be recognized more widely. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Case studies, Epithelial tumors, Mouth tumors

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Endocervical carcinoma and precursor lesions: c-myc expression and the demonstration of field changes

Article Abstract:

An increased incidence of adenocarcinoma (malignant cancer of glandular origin) of the cervix of the uterus has been seen in the past 10 years in women under 30 years old. It is not certain if adenocarcinoma, which can spread to other areas of the body, occurs spontaneously or if it arises from precursor lesions found in the cervix. These early lesions are either known as glandular intraepithelial neoplasia (GIN) or cervical glandular atypia. (Adenocarcinoma of the cervix should not be confused with the more common squamous cell cancer of the cervix, which is histologically distinct.) The diagnosis of GIN is not straightforward, as the lesions can vary biologically. A study was conducted with samples of tissues from the cervices of normal women, those with GIN and those with adenocarcinoma, testing for the presence of the oncogene c-myc. This gene is normally involved in cell growth and maturation but is expressed in increased levels in certain cancers. The oncogene c-myc was found in 21 percent (three out of 14) of the tissue samples from normal women, in 93 percent (13 out of 14) of women with GIN and in all of the 17 samples (100 percent) of women with adenocarcinoma. Thus, c-myc is present in both GIN and invasive adenocarcinoma and may be used as a test for diagnosis of the two conditions, but it does not differentiate between the states. The oncogene c-myc was also found in normal glands in the samples from patients with GIN or adenocarcinoma. This suggests that adjacent tissues may become cancerous. Treatment which removes only cancerous tissues by cone biopsy may not be adequate for high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Physiological aspects, Cervical cancer, Genetic aspects, Oncogenes, Adenocarcinoma

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