Lymphoepithelioma‐like carcinoma of the lung

Abstract

Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the lung HO JC, WONG MP, LAM WK. Respirology 2006; 11: 539-545 Abstract: Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) of the lung was first reported in 1987. In the past two decades, there have been just more than 150 cases reported in the literature. This uncommon but distinct form of non-small cell lung carcinoma has a predilection for young non-smoking Asians, without gender distinction. Histologically, it is indistinguishable from undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The carcinogenic role of latent Epstein-Barr virus infection in causing LELC of the lung has been evident almost exclusively in Asians compared with Caucasians. Among the reported cases, more than half were in early resectable stages (I or II) and there was a tendency for peribronchovascular spread with vascular encasement in advanced diseases. In order to establish the diagnosis of LELC of the lung, both nasopharyngeal carcinoma and lymphoma have to be excluded by endoscopic biopsy (with or without magnetic resonance imaging of the nasopharynx) and immunohistochemical staining of the biopsy samples. The mainstay of treatment for early-stage disease is curative surgical resection, whereas multimodality treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy) has been adopted in advanced or metastatic diseases. The overall survival is more favourable in LELC of the lung compared with non-LELC type of non-small cell lung carcinoma. Future collaborative studies especially on optimizing treatment for this uncommon malignancy are clearly warranted.

Prognosis and distribution of lymph nodes metastases in resectable primary pulmonary lymphoepithelioma‐like carcinoma: A large cohort from a single center

“…Until now, <300 patients have been reported in the worldwide literature, and the majority of these patients were from China 1. Furthermore, the latest World Health Organization classification of lung tumors was published in 2015.…”

Primary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the lung in an adolescent girl with unusual presentations

“…5 In contrast to the non small cell carcinomas of the lung, primary LELC has been found to have minimal association with cigarette smoking. 5,8,9 Metastasis tends to occur less frequently and late in the course of primary LELC. 4,10 As per the data of two large case series, about one-third of the patients were asymptomatic at the time of the diagnosis.…”

Lymphoepithelioma-Like Carcinoma of the Breast: A Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenge

“…Assessment of efficacy is confounded by the delivery of radiotherapy, with one of the interventions or their combination having produced a response. However, in lelc arising in other anatomic sites, chemotherapy has demonstrated some potential efficacy and may merit consideration in cases involving the breast were there to be evidence of metastatic spread 18,21,27,31,[38][39][40] . Unfortunately, the data are insufficient to provide definitive guidance.…”

“…Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma has been reported in a variety of anatomic sites that include skin [13][14][15][16] , lacrimal and salivary glands 17,18 , thyroid gland 19 , thymus 20 , breast 3 , lung 21 , esophagus 22 , stomach 23 , colon 24 , hepatobiliary system 25,26 , renal pelvis [27][28][29][30] , ureter 28 , kidney 27 , bladder 31 , prostate 27 , uterine cervix 32 , vulva 33,34 , and vagina 35 . The foregoing sites typically have better outcomes than are seen with aggressive nasopharyngeal tumours; however, they do demonstrate the potential for local spread, angioinvasion, and metastasis to lymph nodes.…”