Schmincke described lymphoepithelioma as an undifferentiated carcinoma with abundant lymphoid stroma in the nasopharynx. Tumors with a similar histomorphology in extrapharyngeal areas have been referred to as lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC). The association of an Ebstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection with lymphoepithelioma is well established in the nasopharynx but not so well at the extrapharyngeal sites. Only four cases of LELC have been reported in the gall bladder, of which all were negative for the EBV. This paper reports the first case of an EBV-associated mixed gall bladder carcinoma exhibiting a distinct phenotype of LELC and adenocarcinoma with mucinous differentiation. The EBV was confirmed by the strong granular membranous and cytoplasmic expression of LMP-1 (latent membrane protein-1) on immunohistochemistry and nuclear EBER RNA on chromogen in-situ hybridization in the tumor. This is the first case of LELC positive for EBV in the gall bladder. LELC has a more favorable prognosis than conventional adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma, irrespective of the site. Although a higher T stage and nodal metastasis were exceptional in the present case in contrast to the previous cases, the EBV-associated lymphocytic response might limit the disease spread and confer better overall survival and prognosis in these patients. Nevertheless, more prospective studies with a larger cohort will be needed to understand the pathogenesis, biological behavior, and prognosis of this rare entity.
Paraganglioma are rare type of neuroendocrine tumors that arise from embryonal neural crest. Paraganglioma of adrenal medulla is known as Pheochromocytoma. Extra adrenal localization has incidence of 2-8 per million people per year, which can extend from upper cervical region to pelvis related to autonomic nervous system. Even rarer is occurrence of paragangliomas outside the usual distribution of paraganglionic tissue. Mesenteric paragangliomas are extremely rare. The present case was of a nonfunctional extra adrenal paraganglioma occurring in a 43-year-old male presented with complain of pain in abdomen and mild discomfort. Abdominal CECT revealed well defined enhancing solid mass with central necrosis in right side of mesentry. Explorative laparotomy and surgical excision were done, on histology typical "zellballen" pattern was found. Paragangliomas are rare neuroendocrine tumor known to store and secrete catecholamines and hence are known as functional paragangliomas and may present with symptoms like headache, sweating, palpitations and hypertension. On other hand, they may remain silent and non-functional and present with vague symptoms like pain abdomen due to episodic release of catecholamines. Surgical excision is treatment of choice. Long term follow up is mandatory as tumor is prone to recur and metastasize.
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