Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma involving the lacrimal gland and infiltrating the eyelids.

PURPOSE: To report a case of a lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC), which is a variant of carcinoma most commonly involving the nasopharynx and rarely occurring in a variety of sites outside its typical location.

METHODS

We present the case of a 79-year-old Caucasian man with LELC of the lacrimal gland undergoing surgical resection of the mass.

RESULTS

The patient had remained disease-free for 2 years, and then he developed homolateral metastases in latero-cervical and parotid lymph nodes, detected by computed tomography and confirmed by fine-needle aspiration biopsy. He did not receive any surgical treatment, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy because of the advanced stage of the disease and poor health condition.

CONCLUSIONS

This case report suggests that a diagnosis of lacrimal gland LELC makes combined early and radical therapy necessary.