Myoepithelioma of the Lung: A Rare Case With Bilateral Pleural Spread and Diagnostic Challenges in a Middle-Aged Female

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Authors: Manoj Mahajan, Mayanka Seth, Manish Seth, Pawan Nikhra, Kavita Gupta, Sunita Nain
Cited by: 0
References: 14

Abstract

Myoepitheliomas are uncommon neoplasms, predominantly arising in the salivary glands, with pulmonary involvement being extremely rare. Primary lung myoepitheliomas account for only a small number of reported cases, while pleural or bilateral presentations are exceptionally uncommon. Their nonspecific radiological appearance often raises suspicion for metastatic disease, necessitating histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation for accurate diagnosis. We report a diagnostically challenging case of pulmonary myoepithelioma in a 42-year-old female with a history of treated adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the buccal mucosa, in which bilateral pleural nodules initially raised strong suspicion for metastatic disease. She remained asymptomatic during follow-up; however, a surveillance computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest revealed multiple bilateral pleuro-parenchymal nodules, the largest measuring 1.1 cm. A CT-guided biopsy demonstrated sheets of tumor cells with round vesicular nuclei, moderate cytoplasm, occasional clear-cell change, and acinar structures containing eosinophilic secretions. No mitoses, necrosis, or hemorrhage were identified. Immunohistochemistry showed positivity for pancytokeratin, smooth muscle actin (SMA), SRY-box 10 (SOX10), p63, and H-Caldesmon, with negative staining for other lineage markers, and a Ki-67 index

Fields of Study & Subjects

Salivary Gland Tumors Diagnosis and Treatment Vascular Tumors and Angiosarcomas Myasthenia Gravis and Thymoma

Publication details

Journal / source
Cureus
Volume
18
Issue
1
Pages
e100935–e100935
Publication date
6 January 2026
Language
EN