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Case Reports
. 2017 Nov 25:17:24.
doi: 10.1186/s12907-017-0061-0. eCollection 2017.

Lymphoepithelial carcinoma: a case report of a rare tumor of the larynx

Nawal Hammas  1   2 , Najib Benmansour  3 , Mohamed Nour-Dine El Alami El Amine  3 , Laila Chbani  1   2 , Hind El Fatemi  1   2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Lymphoepithelial carcinoma: a case report of a rare tumor of the larynx

Nawal Hammas et al. BMC Clin Pathol. .

Abstract

Background: Lymphoepithelial carcinoma is a tumor mostly diagnosed in the nasopharynx, but it has also been described in a variety of nonnasopharyngeal sites. It is extremely rare in the larynx and should be distinguished from squamous cell carcinoma. Therefore, it must be known by clinicians, pathologists and oncologists. In this case report, we discuss its etiopathogeny, its epidemiological, clinical, pathological and therapeutic aspects, and its outcome.

Case presentation: An 81-year-old Morrocan man, smoker for 40 years, presented with a 1 year history of dysphonia, dyspnea and dysphagia. Laryngoscopy showed a mass occupying supraglottic, glottic and subglottic levels of the larynx. Cervico-thoracic computed tomography scan showed a laryngeal wall thickening with cervical lymphadenopathy. Laryngeal biopsy was performed. Microscopic analysis and immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of laryngeal lymphoepithelial carcinoma. Immunostaining for LMP1 was negative.

Conclusion: Laryngeal lymphoepithelial carcinoma is an extremely rare and an aggressive tumor. It is rarely associated with the EBV. It must be regarded as a distinct entity. Radiotherapy is advisable as the unique therapy for local tumor. A correct diagnosis and a close collaboration between the pathologist and clinicians is mandatory for an optimal treatment strategy.

Keywords: Epstein- Barr virus; Larynx; Lymphoepithelial carcinoma.

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Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this case report and any accompanying images. A copy of the written consent is available for review by the editor of this journal.

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The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Microscopic appearance: the tumor is composed of compact nests and sheets of epithelial cells surrounded by a prominent component of mature lymphocytes and plasma cells. Hematoxylin and eosin stain; original magnification ×100
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Microscopic appearance: tumor cells are undifferentiated, large, with round, vesicular nuclei, containing a prominent nucleolus, and with an abundant, ill defined cytoplasm. Hematoxylin and eosin stain; original magnification ×400
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
positive immunohistochemical staining for cytokeratin 5/6
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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