Myoepithelioma of the head and neck

The myoepithelial cells may be spindled, plasmacytoid, eithelioid or clear. Tubules or epithelium are absent, or present in a small amount (<5%) by definition. Tumours with myoepithelial cells and a large amount of tubules are classified as pleomorphic adenomas (which must also contain the characteristic chondromyxoid stroma, which is normally absent in myoepithelioma). ==Diagnosis==

Myoepitheliomas are diagnosed from an examination of the tissue by a pathologist. Image: Myoepithelioma - low mag.jpg | Low mag. Image: Myoepithelioma - high mag.jpg | High mag. ==Treatment==

Benign myoepithelioma are treated with simple excision. They are less prone to recurrence than pleomorphic adenoma. Malignant myoepitheliomas are excised and have been treated in the past with dacarbazine but are prone to both metastasis and re-occurrence. ==See also==