title: Clinicopathological consultation. Lymphoepithelial carcinoma of the larynx hypopharynx, and trachea.
abstract: Lymphoepithelial carcinoma of the larynx, hypopharynx, and trachea is a rare neoplasm composed of large, poorly differentiated, nonkeratinized cells intermingled with small nonneoplastic lymphocytes and plasma cells. It is histologically similar to its more common counterpart occurring in the nasopharynx. In contrast to nasopharyngeal carcinoma, most cases have not been associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), although rare cases have been reported to be EBV-positive. The diagnosis often requires immunohistochemistry or electron microscopy for confirmation. The neoplasm seems to behave in a fashion reminiscent of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Lymph node metastasis occurs in the majority of patients, and eventual visceral dissemination occurs in one fourth. Radiotherapy is the main treatment for the primary tumor and regional metastases, but chemotherapy is indicated for more advanced disease. The initial stage is the primary determinant of prognosis. Death from disease occurs in about one third of patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, University of Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferlito
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rinaldo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carbone
authors.forename: K O
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Devaney
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: MacMillan
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Barnes
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007012:Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D007013:Hypopharynx / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure / Q000821:virology; D007830:Larynx / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure / Q000821:virology; D014132:Trachea / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D014134:Tracheal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology