Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the skin: Case report and approach to surgical pathology sign out

Abstract

Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the skin (LELCS) is a rare and poorly differentiated variant of squamous cell carcinoma. The lesion is histologically identical to undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (lymphoepithelioma), but with Epstein-Barr virus involvement documented rarely. The first case of LELCS was described in 1988 by Swanson et al. and since there has been less than a total of 60 cases documented. This case review discusses a 87 year old man who presented to his primary care physician with a 2.5 cm solitary ulcerated nodular lesion on his right chest for two weeks. The patient ultimately had the lesion excised and sent for histological exami-nation. The microscopic examination, ancillary studies used and differential diagnosis considered are discussed in detail in the following report. This case review aims to provide insight and approach to a rare cutaneous neoplasm, with the conclusions supporting a theory that LELCS is a separate entity from lymphoepithelioma. © S. M. Abedi et al.,2013.