CASE OF MYOEPITHELIOMA ORIGINATING FROM THE PALATE - COLLAGENOGENESISIN MYOEPITHELIAL TUMOR-CELLS

We report a case of myoepithelioma of the palate in a 53-yr-old man. M yoepithelioma cells consisting of both plasmacytoid type and spindle t ype were obtained. A reticular pattern composed of a mosaic arrangemen t of hyaline-like abundant cytoplasm, and scant matrix and considerabl e fiber formation were characteristic features of the plasmacytoid typ e; granular cytoplasm and a snake-like shape were characteristic featu res of the spindle type. These are important points in differentiating this tumor from cellular type pleomorphic adenoma. The present study shows that tumorous myoepithelial cells can synthesize and secrete ext racellular components such as proteoglycans, basal lamina, collagen fi bers, and elastic fibers. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.