Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the skin with apparent origin in the epidermis--a pattern or an entity? A case report.

BACKGROUND

Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) is prototypically represented by "undifferentiated" nasopharyngeal carcinoma, but it has also been described in many other anatomic locations, including the skin. In the last of these sites, primary LELC has been assumed in the past to show dermal adnexal differentiation.

METHODS

The authors present a case wherein LELC of the skin (LELCS) instead appeared to be a morphologic manifestation of squamous carcinoma of the skin surface, as supported by the results of immunohistology and in situ hybridization.

RESULTS

Like other examples of LELCS, it showed no evidence of integration of the Epstein-Barr viral genome, and its behavior was indolent.

CONCLUSIONS

The heterogeneous nature of LELC as seen in different body sites is reviewed in this report, resulting in the conclusion that this tumor probably represents a morphologic pattern rather than a distinct clinicopathologic entity.