Epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma of the nasopharynx: A case report and review of the literature

Abstract

An 80-year-old female with complaints of right-sided nose blockage and occasional epistaxis for several months was referred to Sanggye Paik Hospital (Seoul, Korea). Nasal examination revealed a hemorrhagic mass protruding towards the right posterior nasal cavity, for which the patient was subjected to excisional biopsy. The pathological diagnosis was epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma, as immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the inner cells stained positive for cytokeratin 7, an epithelial cell marker, whereas the outer cells stained positive for smooth muscle actin and P63, consistent with a myoepithelial phenotype. The patient received concurrent chemoradiation therapy followed by systemic chemotherapy. Following the achievement of a partial response, the patient's treatment course was uneventful. Follow-up at 24 months revealed a stable status at partial response, with no subsequent progression.