Association of the Epstein-Barr virus with lymphoepithelioma of the thymus.
A 30-year-old woman with the histologic diagnosis of lymphoepithelioma of the thymus is reported on. Investigation of Epstein-Barr serology showed evidence of infection, and Southern blot analysis showed the presence of the viral genome in the tumor specimen. The patient achieved complete remission after treatment with combination chemotherapy, autologous bone marrow transplant, and radiotherapy. These findings suggest that lymphoepithelioma of the thymus may have a viral pathogenesis similar to that of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Dimery
I W
IW
Department of Medical Oncology, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute, Houston, Texas 77030.
Lee
J S
JS
Blick
M
M
Pearson
G
G
Spitzer
G
G
Hong
W K
WK
D000328:Adult; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000382:microbiology*
D004279:DNA, Viral