title: Going beyond "Basaloid neoplasm": Fine needle aspiration cytology of epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma of the parotid gland.
abstract: Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma (EMC) is a rare salivary gland malignancy with variable cytologic findings. Its rarity, variable morphologic findings, and similarities with more common salivary gland entities make it a difficult cytologic diagnosis. As the name signifies, the key feature of this tumor is presence of an epithelial and myoepithelial component. However, when one of these two components is scant on the fine needle aspiration (FNA) smears, it may be overlooked. We present a case from a 62 year-old female who presented to the clinic with a parotid nodule and episodes of sharp, throbbing pain. A fine needle aspiration was performed which revealed a highly cellular specimen comprised primarily of aggregates of cells with small, round nuclei and scant to absent cytoplasm. Abundant hyaline stromal material was also noted. The case was signed out as basaloid neoplasm with a recommendation for surgical resection. The subsequent resection specimen revealed EMC. By reviewing the FNA specimen following the surgical resection of the tumor, we were able to utilize the benefit of hindsight to more clearly identify the subtle, biphasic components of the tumor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, The University of Toledo Medical Center, Toledo, OH, 43614.
authors.forename: Stacy L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Molnar
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ, 85259.
authors.forename: Matthew A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Zarka
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, The University of Toledo Medical Center, Toledo, OH, 43614.|Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, 14642.
authors.forename: Luis E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: De Las Casas
mesh_terms: D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology*; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000473:pathology; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000473:pathology
keywords: epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma; fine needle aspiration; parotid; salivary gland neoplasms