title: Lymphoepithelial carcinoma (Schmincke type) as a derivate of the tonsillar crypt epithelium.
abstract: Ten tumours of tonsillar or epipharyngeal localization showing the histological picture of "lymphoepithelial carcinoma" (Schmincke 1921) were examined immunohistochemically using Peanut lectin, Ulex europaeus lectin-I and an antiserum to S-100 protein. The findings suggest a close relationship of this type of carcinoma to the normal tonsillar crypt epithelium. The majority of tumour cells are UEA-I-positive and PNL-negative, as is the crypt epithelium, while oral mucosa is both PNL- and to a lesser extent UEA-I-reactive. Tumour areas expressing this pattern contain a large number of asteroid-shaped PNL-positive histiocytes and arachnoid-shaped histiocytes reacting with anti-S-100 protein; both cell types being probably identical and representing typical elements of the normal tonsillar crypt epithelium. Consequently, the WHO-term "nasopharyngeal carcinoma, undifferentiated type" seems to be inadequate for this type of tumour.
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D037102:Lectins; D008297:Male; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D014067:Tonsillar Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D037102:Lectins; D009418:S100 Proteins