[Lymphoepithelial carcinoma in salivary glands: clinical and pathological analysis of 17 cases].

OBJECTIVE

Lymphoepithelial carcinoma (LEC) of salivary glands is a rare malignant neoplasm. The purpose of this research was to investigate the clinicalpathologic features and treatment methods of this rare disease.

METHOD: The clinical data and treatment outcomes of 17 patients from 2006 to 2012 were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULT: Ten males and seven females with a ratio of 1. 43:1 were involved. The II, III, IV stage cases were 7 (41.2%), 4 (23.5%), 6 (35.3%), respectively. The average follow-up duration was 2.56 years, and 12 patients had no evidence of recurrence. Five patients had local recurrence and (or) distant metastases within three years after surgery, including 4 deaths.

CONCLUSION

LEC in salivary gland is a high grade malignant tumor in oral and maxillofacial region, occurring predominately in parotid gland and submandibular gland. To prevent distant metastasis, radical surgery combined with chemoradiotherapy should be adopted.