A case of lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the uterine cervix

Kim, Mi Lyoung; You, Hang Jo; Yoon, Eun Suk; Sim, Sung Hyuk; Koo, Bon Sang; Joo, Won Duk; Cha, Hee Jeong; Lee, Hyun Woo

Abstract

Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) of the uterine cervix is a rare tumor with 0.7% of all primary cervical malignancies. It may grossly range from no visible cervical lesion to a large exophytic cervical mass and histologically similar neoplasms occur in the nasopharynx. It has been classified as a subtype of squamous cell carcinoma. But, after reviewing the literature, this tumor is a distinct carcinoma of the cervix that differs from squamous cell carcinoma. LELC is composed of undifferentiated cells surrounded by a marked inflammatory infiltrate, characterized by plasma cells and lymphocytes in the stroma. It may represent a better prognostic group than the more common squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix because of lack of lymph node metastasis. Typically affects a younger population of women, is more prevalent in noncaucasian population (especially, those of Asian descent). However, it is not clearly understood, Epstein-Barr virus play in the pathogenesis of cervical LELC while humam papilloma virus (HPV) is a risk factor for squamous cell carcinoma. The prognosis is good only by surgical treatment. Radiation therapy also appears to be effective in eradicating localized, low-stage disease (radiosensitive). The authors have experienced one case of LELC of the uterine cervix. We report a case with a brief review.