Lymphoepithelial carcinoma of the parotid gland

Abstract

Primary lymphoepithelial carcinoma of the salivary gland is a rare tumor that accounts for less than 1% of all salivary gland cancers and has been implicated in Epstein-Barr virus（EBV）. In this study, we experienced a rare case of EBV-unrelated lymphoepithelial carcinoma of the parotid gland. The case was a 69-year-old male patient who underwent superficial parotidectomy at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at another gen-eral hospital, and was diagnosed with lymphoepithelial carcinoma of the parotid gland. He was referred to our clinic for additional treatment. Postoperative imaging showed cervical lymph node metastasis, so left total neck dissection was performed. Multiple cervical lymph node metastases with extranodal invasion were found, so postoperative radiation therapy was administered. He remains free of locoregional recurrence and distant metastasis in the three years after treatment. Lymphoepithelial carcinoma is known to be radiosensitive, and postoperative radiotherapy can improve the prognosis.