Malignant myoepithelioma arising from recurrent pleomorphic adenoma of the soft palate

Malignant myoepithelioma is a rare salivary gland neoplasm that can arise either de novo or within a pre-existing pleomorphic adenoma. We report a case of malignant myoepithelioma arising from a pleomorphic adenoma of the soft palate. A 70-year-old woman presented in our department with a very large tumor of the soft palate. The patient had a history of a pleomorphic adenoma at the same location that was surgically removed 2 years ago. A second operation, with intraoral excision of the tumor was performed. Histological examination of the recurrence revealed a malignant spindle cell neoplasm with an infiltrative growth pattern and a high mitotic rate. Immunohistochemical investigation confirmed the diagnosis of a low-grade carcinoma of myoepithelial origin with free surgical margins. The patient remains free of disease for more than twelve months after the end of treatment.