Clinical analysis of 120 cases of intraoral lymphoepithelial cyst.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to analyze a single institution's experience in the clinical management of intraoral lymphoepithelial cyst (LEC).

STUDY

DESIGN

From 1993 to 2010, a total of 120 consecutive patients with intraoral LEC underwent surgery and were retrospectively investigated regarding its clinical appearance, clinical differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.

RESULTS

Of the 120 patients, 37 were male and 83 female, their ages ranging from 2 to 75 years with a mean of 44.1 years. The most common locations were the tongue (50%) and floor of mouth (38.3%). The course of disease ranged from 2 months to 10 years with a mean of 8.0 months, and 75.8% of the patients had a course of disease <6 months. Routine laboratory examinations were within normal limits. All patients underwent complete surgical removal of the lesions. During the follow-up period, no lesion recurrence occurred, and the quality of life of each patient was good.

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical characteristics of intraoral LEC are not specific and may be confused with other intraoral lesions. The first choice of treatment is surgical excision, which results in a good prognosis.