What Are the Treatments for Myoepithelial Carcinoma?
Myoepithelial carcinoma (MC) is a rare cancer of myoepithelial cells that are found in salivary, sweat and mammary glands. MCs are typically salivary gland cancers, although rare cases of MC breast cancer are reported as well. The prognosis varies depending on how far the cancer has progressed at the time it's diagnosed. Treatment for MCs of the salivary glands is similar to treatments for other salivary gland cancers.
Features
Most MCs are salivary gland cancers, although some cases of breast cancer MCs have been reported as well. Since they are uncommon, they are not very well characterized and have often been lumped in with other similar cancers affecting the same tissues. Lab tests that use chemicals to stain tissue samples before examining their features under the microscope can help distinguish them.
Surgery
Surgery is a common treatment for MCs that have not metastasized (spread to other distant organs). If the tumor is still confined to its area of origin or has spread only to local lymph nodes, surgeons may be able to remove it successfully. Surgery can, however, pose some special challenges where salivary gland cancer is concerned, since these glands are located close to major nerves that are important for controlling facial movement and other functions. Surgery can potentially damage these nerves and cause complications like partial paralysis of the face, although surgeons can sometimes repair damage by grafting in nerve tissue from elsewhere in the body. For patients with MC of the breast, lumpectomy (removal of the tumor and surrounding tissue) and mastectomy (removal of the breast) are common surgical procedures.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy isn't a standard treatment for most salivary gland cancers but may prolong life and help improve the patient's condition in cases where the cancer has metastasized. Chemotherapy is a common tool to treat breast cancer, including MC of the breast. Often multiple drugs are used to shrink the tumor before surgery or kill any cancer cells that may have spread elsewhere in the body.
Radiotherapy
Radiation therapy is another technique to treat salivary gland and breast MCs. Radiation therapy can help shrink the tumor before surgery or kill any cancer cells that escape the knife. For tumors of the salivary glands that are too large to remove surgically, radiation therapy may be another approach that can help manage the tumor or reduce its size. Surgery coupled with radiation therapy is the most common treatment for MCs of the salivary glands.
Considerations
The sooner MC is detected and treated, the better your chances for survival and recovery. Generally the prognosis is worse if the cancer has already spread or invaded other organs. Surgery is more viable in the early stages and can often be highly effective. None of the above, however, is intended as medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns about your condition or diagnosis, the best person to ask for advice is your doctor.
Tags: salivary gland, gland cancers, salivary gland cancers, breast cancer, cells that, salivary glands, before surgery
