Published online Apr 6, 2020. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v8.i7.1257
Peer-review started: December 25, 2019
First decision: February 20, 2020
Revised: February 24, 2020
Accepted: March 22, 2020
Article in press: March 22, 2020
Published online: April 6, 2020
Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) is a non-keratinizing carcinoma with rich lymphocytic infiltration, which primarily originates from the nasopharynx. Primary lung LELC is a type of lung cancer with a relatively low incidence. Herein, we report a rare case of lung LELC with expression of CD56. We also performed a literature review to summarize the epidemiological, clinical, and prognostic features of this disease.
A 51-year-old man was admitted to Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College due to cough and chest pain lasting > 2 mo and 1 wk, respectively. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging examinations revealed the presence of a mass in the right upper lobe with enlargement of lymph nodes and multiple bone metastases. According to the results of bronchoscopy and cervical lymph node biopsy, a diagnosis of lung LELC with CD56-positive staining (CD56+ lung LELC) was made. In the literature, 458 cases of lung LELC have been reported. However, only one other case of CD56+ lung LELC has been reported thus far.
The mechanism and potential role of CD56 expression in CD56+ lung LELC require further investigation.
Core tip: Primary lung lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) is a rare type of lung carcinoma without established international diagnostic criteria. For this reason, misdiagnosis may occasionally occur and differential diagnosis with other lung primary carcinomas is required. Herein, we report a 51-year old man with CD56-positive lung LELC, which should be differentiated from large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. A total of 458 cases of lung LELC have been reported in the literature. This case is the second documented case of CD56-positive lung LELC. The mechanism and potential role of CD56 expression in lung LELC require further investigation.