Lymphoepithelioma-like Carcinoma of the Skin

Abstract

The term lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma identifies a group of nasopharingeal epithelial tumors characterized by aggregates of malignant undifferentiated cells surrounded by a dense reactive lymphoplasmacellular infiltrate. Primary cutaneous localization is rare, with approximately 30 cases reported in literature. We describe a case of primary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the skin in a 92-year-old woman. Immunohistochemical examination was positive for cytokeratine (KL1 and EMA) as regards epithelial cells, while the lymphocitic infiltrate was positive for LCA and CD3. In situ hybridization for Epstein Barr virus in tumor cells was negative. Electron microscopy showed rounded and occasionally spindle-shaped poorly-differentiated squamous epithelial cells, and a lymphoid stroma consisting mostly of normal-appearing small lymphocytes. Examination of the nasopharynx did not show any tumoral mass and after a 7 years follow-up the patient is free of local and distant recurrences. This tumor affects people aged over 50 years and is localized to the face, but scalp, shoulder and forearm may be involved. Research of Epstein-Barr virus is always negative in this tumor, unlike nasopharingeal epithelial carcinoma. The differential diagnosis of lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the skin may present some difficulties and includes squamous cell carcinoma. Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the skin is a malignant neoplasm which tends to relapse locally and has a moderate tendency to metastatize.