A Case of Lymphoepithelioma-Like Carcinoma of the Lung

Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) of the lung is a very rare tumor. Originally described in the nasopharynx as lymphoepithelioma, this carcinoma has also been found in the stomach, esophagus, thymus, cervix, urinary bladder, skin, and salivary glands. Histologically, it is an undifferentiated carcinoma that has a syncytial appearance with tumor cells and is infiltrated by numerous lymphocytes, macrophages, and plasma cells. LELC of the lung occurs more commonly in Asians, particularly Chinese. Many studies have reported the association between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and LELC of the lung in Asian patients. A 45-year-old man had a solitary pulmonary nodule on a routine chest X-ray examination. As a malignant tumor was suspected, surgical resection was performed to establish the correct diagnosis. The pathology of the excised tumor demonstrated LELC of the lung. This is the first report of LELC of the lung in Korea.

keywords: Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung, Solitary Pulmonary Nodule, Lung Neoplasms, Herpesvirus 4, Human

Reference

1. Ho JC, Wong MP, Lam WK. Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the lung. Respirology 2006;11:539-45.

2. Bégin LR, Eskandari J, Joncas J, Panasci L. Epstein-Barr virus related lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of lung. J Surg Oncol 1987;36:280-3.

3. Han AJ, Xiong M, Zong YS. Association of Epstein-Barr virus with lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the lung in southern China. Am J Clin Pathol 2000;114: 220-6.

4. Han AJ, Xiong M, Gu YY, Lin SX, Xiong M. Lymphoepithelioma- like carcinoma of the lung with a better prognosis. A clinicopathologic study of 32 cases. Am J Clin Pathol 2001;115:841-50.

5. Chang YL, Wu CT, Shih JY, Lee YC. New aspects in clinicopathologic and oncogene studies of 23 pulmonary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinomas. Am J Surg Pathol 2002;26:715-23.

6. Ho JC, Lam WK, Wong MP, Wong MK, Ooi GC, Ip MS, et al. Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the lung: experience with ten cases. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2004;8:890-5.

7. Iezzoni JC, Gaffey MJ, Weiss LM. The role of Epstein- Barr virus in lymphoepithelioma-like carcinomas. Am J Clin Pathol 1995;103:308-15.

8. Cho JH, Lee WS, Lee KR, Jeong HK, Cho SB, Joo YE, et al. Gastric lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma diagnosed and treated by endoscopic submucosal dissection: review of the literature. Korean J Gastrointest Endosc 2010;40:256-60.

9. Ki EY, Ro DY, Kim HJ, Park BJ, Kim YW, Kim TE, et al. A case of lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Korean J Obstet Gynecol 2009;52: 115-9.

10.

10. Yun HK, Yun SI, Lee YH, Kang KM, Kwak EK, Kim JS, et al. Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the urinary bladder. J Korean Med Sci 2010;25:1672-5.

11.

11. Myung JH, Hong SK, Kim HH, Park BJ. A case of lymphoepithelioma like salivary gland carcinoma. J Clinical Otolaryngol 2006;17:124-7

12.

12. Ooi GC, Ho JC, Khong PL, Wong MP, Lam WK, Tsang KW. Computed tomography characteristics of advanced primary pulmonary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma. Eur Radiol 2003;13:522-6.

13.

13. Hoxworth JM, Hanks DK, Araoz PA, Elicker BM, Reddy GP, Webb WR, et al. Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the lung: radiologic features of an uncommon primary pulmonary neoplasm. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2006;186:1294-9.

14.

14. Wong MP, Chung LP, Yuen ST, Leung SY, Chan SY, Wang E, et al. In situ detection of Epstein-Barr virus in non-small cell lung carcinomas. J Pathol 1995;177: 233-40.

15.

15. Barroso A, Nogueira R, Lencastre H, Seada J, Parente B. Primary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the lung. Lung Cancer 2000;28:69-74.

16.

16. Chen FF, Yan JJ, Lai WW, Jin YT, Su IJ. Epstein-Barr virus-associated nonsmall cell lung carcinoma: undifferentiated "lymphoepithelioma-like" carcinoma as a distinct entity with better prognosis. Cancer 1998;82: 2334-42.

바로가기메뉴

Article Contents

Vol.71 No.5

A Case of Lymphoepithelioma-Like Carcinoma of the Lung

Abstract

Reference

Tuberculosis & Respiratory Diseases