ISSN: 2578-4625
Authors: Bajaj A
Lymphoepithelial carcinoma is an exceptionally discerned, primary pulmonary carcinoma with a distinct syncytial pattern of tumour evolution. Lymphoepithelial carcinoma incriminates centric or peripheral pulmonary parenchyma with equivalent predilection. Median age of disease emergence is 51 years to 57 years. Lymphoepithelial carcinoma lung occurs due to Epstein Barr virus (EBV) infection and malignant metamorphosis triggered by dysregulation of NFkB pathway, loss of type I interferon (IFN) genes and concordant signatures by APOBEC family of genes. Tumefaction is composed of enlarged, polygonal cells pervaded with abundant or variable eosinophilic cytoplasm, vesicular nuclei and prominent, eosinophilic nucleoli. Tumour cells are circumscribed by quantifiably variable lymphoid and plasma cell infiltrate. Tumour cells appear immune reactive to squamous epithelial cell biomarkers as CK5/6, p40 or p63 whereas in situ hybridization (ISH) for discerning Epstein Barr encoded small RNAs (EBER) appears optimal. Lymphoepithelial carcinoma lung requires segregation from neoplasms such as poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, NUT pulmonary carcinoma, malignant melanoma, lymphoma confined to pulmonary parenchyma, metastatic undifferentiated carcinoma of nasopharynx or metastatic medullary carcinoma arising from breast of colon. Stage I and stage II neoplasms are subjected to comprehensive surgical extermination whereas stage II, stage III or advanced grade neoplasms may be managed with surgical eradication in combination with adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
Keywords: Pulmonary Tumour; EBV; Lymphoid; Plasma Cells
