Myoepithelial carcinoma is a rare malignant (cancerous) tumor that usually occurs in the salivary glands in the mouth, but can also occur in skin and soft tissues. Approximately 66% of these tumors occur in a part of the salivary gland, known as the parotid gland. The average age of diagnosis is 55 years. Symptoms of myoepithelial carcinoma usually begin with a painless mass. Other symptoms vary depending on the site of the tumor and may include: hoarseness, nasal blockage, bleeding from the nose, pain, headaches, and facial weakness and paralysis. Treatment depends on the location and stage of the tumor. Treatment options may include surgery to remove the affected tissues, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

The treatment for metastatic myoepithelial carcinoma usually begins with surgery to remove the main tumor. Radiation therapy can be used to reduce the chance that the tumor could return in the same location. There is limited evidence about the usefulness of chemotherapy in treating myoepithelial carcinoma, and there are no standard treatment guidelines.

The prognosis for myoepithelial carcinoma likely depends on various factors and may be difficult to predict. Follow-up studies with information on prognosis are limited. One study that followed 27 patients from 9 months-17 years found that 14 individuals had recurrent tumors, 6 developed distant metastasis, 3 regional lymph node metastasis, and 10 passed away. Another study found that among 31 malignant soft tissue myoepithelial tumors, 13 recurred in the same area (42%) and 10 metastasized (32%).