Androgen Receptor–Positive Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma: Case Report and Literature Review. (May 2015) - Ishibashi, Kenichiro
Androgen receptor (AR) is usually expressed in salivary duct carcinoma (SDC), but only infrequently in other carcinoma types including mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC). The clinicopathological characteristics of AR-positive MEC remain to be clarified. Here we report a case of AR-positive MEC. A 76-year-old man presented with a growing painless tumor of the right parotid. The resected tumor was a high-grade tumor with necroses. Since the tumor was positive for AR, GCDFP-15, and HER2, SDC was first suspected, but it was also positive for CK5/6 and P63, and negative for S-100 protein and α-smooth muscle actin. In addition, scattered mucous secreting tumor cells were found in the tumor nests, and they were positive for Alcian blue. A diagnosis of AR-positive MEC was finally made. The patient died of the tumor 5 years after the surgery. The present case may expand the histopathological spectrum of high-grade MEC.