title: Primary cutaneous vs. parotid mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the scalp: A case report.
abstract: Primary cutaneous mucoepidermoid carcinoma remains a rare occurrence. This is the first report of a case of primary cutaneous mucoepidermoid carcinoma originating on the scalp and subsequently metastasizing to the parotid gland. The patient was a 53-year-old female who presented with a purple mass on her scalp since 5 months prior to examination. Histopathology revealed nests and islands of atypical epithelioid cells with pleomorphism, medium to prominent nucleoli, and scattered mucin deposition highlighting with a mucicarmine stain. The atypical cells demonstrated intravascular involvement. These findings were compatible with metastatic adenocarcinoma. Later, fine needle aspiration of the patient's parotid lesion revealed malignant cells from a poorly differentiated carcinoma that appeared similar to the patient's previously excised scalp lesion. In addition to summarizing this patient's presentation, clinical course, and management, we discuss the diagnostic challenges posed by this atypical presentation. Primary cutaneous mucoepidermoid carcinoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with a scalp mass. Moreover, patients with primary cutaneous mucoepidermoid carcinoma originating on the scalp should be evaluated for possible metastases.
authors.affiliation: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH. Electronic address: axj152@case.edu.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Junewicz
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heaphy
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH.
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lavertu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH.
authors.forename: Jay
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wasman
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH.
authors.forename: Devra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Becker
mesh_terms: D018277:Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D012535:Scalp; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery