A case of myoepithelial carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma of the hard palate

Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma mainly occurs in the major salivary gland, and a tissue type of myoepithelial carcinoma is extremely rare in the minor salivary gland.We report a case of myoepithelial carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma of the hard palate in a 65-year-old man. At presentation, a tumor measuring 23 × 16 mm, which had a painless elastic hard, smooth surface and clear border, was found in the right side of the hard palate. Computed tomographic scanning and magnetic resonance imaging indicated the suspicion of malignancy. Histological examination suggested a myoepithelial carcinoma. A partial maxillectomy combined with a supraomohyoid neck dissection was performed. The histological diagnosis of the resected specimen was a myoepithelial carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma. There has been no sign of recurrence as of 2 years postoperatively.