Fine needle aspiration in a malignant lymphoepithelial lesion: a case report.
BACKGROUND
A primary malignant lymphoepithelial lesion (MLEL) of the salivary gland is a rare tumor. Though histologic morphology of this lesion is well documented, the cytologic findings regarding fine needle aspiration (FNA) are not yet well described.


METHODS
A 56-year-old Thai woman from Udonthanee was admitted to Srinagarind Hospital with a 2-year history of a painless mass in the left parotid gland. FNA of the left parotid mass was performed, and findings suggestive of malignancy were discovered. A wide local excision was performed 1 year later, and MLEL with metastasis to the regional lymph nodes was diagnosed by histopathology.


CONCLUSIONS
We report our first experience of cytologic findings from FNA of histologically diagnosed MLEL. The aspirate comprised groups of cohesive and isolated malignant epithelials with a background of numerous lymphocytes. Cytotechnologists should be reminded of this rare lesion when confronted with a lymphocytic background from either benign or malignant lesions.
Division of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasart University, Rangsit Campus, Km. 41 on Paholyothin Highway, Klong Luang, Pathum Thani 12121, Thailand. nipa.kanjana@yahoo.com
Nipa
N
Kanjanavirojkul
Churairat
C
Kularbkaew
Wiboonchai
W
Yutanawiboonchai
D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013194:Staining and Labeling