Primary mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the external auditory canal with a CRTC1::MAML2 fusion: A case report and a review of literature

J Cutan Pathol. 2023 Nov;50(11):947-950. doi: 10.1111/cup.14491. Epub 2023 Jul 2.

Abstract

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is a malignant neoplasm of exocrine glands that arises predominantly in salivary glands. It is seldom encountered as a primary cutaneous neoplasm, and in those patients, it often involves the external auditory canal. Given their rarity, they can pose a diagnostic challenge and prompt extensive workup. In salivary glands, mucoepidermoid carcinomas commonly harbor CRTC1/3::MAML2 fusions; however, genetic alterations of primary cutaneous neoplasms are less characterized, with previous studies reporting CRTC1 rearrangements in the absence of MAML2 aberrations. Herein, we report a case of a primary cutaneous mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the external auditory canal with a CRTC1::MAML2 rearrangement. We also review the clinical, morphologic, and molecular features of this neoplasm and compare them to those reported in the literature and to histopathologic mimics.

Keywords: CRTC1; CRTC1::MAML2; MAML2; cutaneous mucoepidermoid carcinoma; skin mucoepidermoid carcinoma.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid* / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid* / pathology
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Ear Canal / pathology
  • Humans
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / genetics
  • Salivary Gland Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Skin Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Trans-Activators / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / genetics

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Trans-Activators
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion
  • MAML2 protein, human
  • CRTC1 protein, human