Clinicopathological features and prognosis of primary pulmonary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma

Abstract

Background: Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) is a rare form of non-small cell lung carcinoma.The current study focused on its clinicopathological features and potential factors influencing the prognosis.Methods: The statistical analysis was based on the clinicopathological records and the prognosis of 43 LELC patients, analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method, Log-rank test, and COX regression analysis.Results: The patients' average age was 57.35±9.22 years, 86.05% of them were non-smokers and 53.49%were women. The average tumor diameter was 3.24±1.57 cm. The 2-and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates of LELC patients were 90% and 74%, respectively; the disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 87% and 47%, respectively. The patients with large tumor, accompanied with lymph nodes metastasis or at the advanced stage had the worst OS, and the patients with lymph nodes metastasis or at the advanced stage had the worst DFS. Univariate analysis indicated that T and N grading and TNM stage influenced the OS, and N grading and TNM stage influenced the DFS; the independent factors affecting OS or DFS were not identified by multivariate analysis. Conclusions: LELC commonly occurred in senior non-smoking women. In summary, the prognosis of LELC was satisfactory.

Pulmonary Lymphoepithelioma-like Carcinoma

“…20 Invasion of the visceral pleural was seen in more than half of the cases (24 of 43 cases; 55.8%) in one series. 11 The lesion border is well defined in 80% of cases and spiculated in 20%. 20 The lesion density is usually homogenous, but can also be heterogenous.…”

“…15 There is no sex predilection in most of the studied populations. 2,11,12,[14][15][16] The age at diagnosis usually ranges from 35 to 85 years, 1,2,10,12,13,17 with the mean/median age between 51 and 57 years. 2,10,12,13,17 Overall, patients with pulmonary LELC have been found to be younger than those with other NSCLCs.…”

“…19 It is also important to note that most patients (60%-80%) with pulmonary LELC are nonsmokers. 1,2,[11][12][13][14][15] This is in contrast to other lung cancers, for which smoking is the well-established and most important causal risk factor.…”

“…1,2 Intrabronchial involvement was noted in a number of cases in one series (6 of 23; 26.0%). 13 The size at initial presentation was between 0.7 and 11 cm, 1,2,11,13,14,22 with a reported mean of 3.24 to 3.50 cm 11,22 and a reported median of 4 cm. 14 The gross examination usually shows a solitary, round to ovoid, nonencapsulated, and well-circumscribed nodule.…”

Primary Lymphoepithelioma-Like Carcinoma of the Lung

“…New studies are needed for new treatment modalities. [13][14][15][16] Six courses of platinum-based chemotherapy were administered following surgery in our patient. At the present time, she is in remission and being followed up.…”