Locally advanced lymphoepithelial carcinoma of the larynx/hypopharynx: A case report

Abstract

Lymphoepithelial carcinoma (LEC) is an uncommon, aggressive cancer that affects mainly the nasopharynx (a form that is closely related to the Epstein-Barr virus). LEC of the larynx/hypopharynx is extremely rare, accounting for only 0.2% of malignant tumors of the larynx. This study describes a case of locally advanced LEC of the larynx/hypopharynx with effective response to chemoradiation (an option that spares the patient from the risks of surgical resection). A 60-year-old sedentary, hypertensive male patient with a previous history of smoking and alcohol abuse received a histopathological diagnosis of locally advanced LEC of the larynx/hypopharynx in May 2018. He underwent treatment with chemoradiation and exhibited a complete clinical response. At about 3 years of follow-up, the patient is currently alive, free from disease and has not presented any tumor recurrences.

Keywords: Case reports; Head and neck cancers; Hypopharynx; Larynx; Lymphoepithelial carcinoma.