Case
Report |
Lymphoepithelioma-like Carcinoma of the Trachea |
| Hidenobu Takahashi, MD,PhD,1,2 Masahiko Harada, MD,PhD,1,2 Tetsushi Ito, MD,PhD,1,2 and Harubumi Kato, MD,PhD2
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| Lymphoepithelioma is a lymphocyte-rich, poorly differentiated and non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma of the nasopharynx. Tumors arising outside the nasopharynx are rare and are designated as lymphoepithelioma-like carcinomas (LELCs). This is the third reported case of LELC of the trachea. A 27-year-old woman was referred to our hospital on suspicion of bronchial asthma on August 2000. A polypoid tumor of the cervical trachea was recognized on neck X-ray, neck computed tomography (CT) scan, and fiberoptic bronchoscopy. The protruding tumor was resected endoscopically by an electrosurgical snare. Histological and immunohistochemical examinations demonstrated large irregular polygonal cells extending in an islet or trabecular pattern among lymphoid stroma. These polygonal cells showed non-keratinization, atypia and prominent nucleoli. In situ hybridization showed these cells were infected with the Epstein-Barr (EB) virus. The infiltrating lymphocytes consisted of both T-and B-lymphocytes with no atypia. Thus the tumor was diagnosed as LELC. Blood examination revealed a past EB viral infection. Sphenoid resection of the tracheal cartilaginous portion was performed for residual tumor. We gave 50 Gy postoperative radiation, and she has been disease free in the 6-year follow-up period. (Ann Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2007; 13: 191-194) |
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Key words: lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma, trachea, electrosurgical snare, Epstein-Barr virus |
1Department of Surgery, Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Medical Treatment Corporation Ebara Hospital, Tokyo, and 2First Department of Surgery, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
Received January 29, 2007; accepted for publication February 4, 2007.
Address reprint requests to Hidenobu Takahashi, MD, PhD: Respiratory Center, Tokyo Medical University Hachioji Medical Center, 1163 Tatemachi, Hachioji, Tokyo 193–0998, Japan. |
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