Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the skin: a case with lymph node metastases at presentation
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Updated: Aug 7, 2026
Isolation of Human Lymphatic Endothelial Cells by Multi-parameter Fluorescence-activated Cell Sorting
Published on: May 1, 2015
Gillian Hall1, Alison Duncan, Richard Azurdia
1Department of Pathology, Royal Liverpool and Broad Green University Hospital Trust, Liverpool, England.
Abstract:
We report a case of a primary lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) of the skin. The patient was a 73-year-old man with a lump on his back for 18 months. A biopsy and subsequent excision was performed. He also had axillary node clearance for metastatic disease. The tumor was composed of islands of pleomorphic cells with a lymphocytic infiltrate. Differential diagnoses included squamous cell carcinoma, adnexal carcinoma, Merkel cell tumors, lymphoepithelial lesions, lymphomas, and skin metastases. The histopathologic and immunohistochemical features were those of a LELC of the skin. It was negative for Epstein-Barr virus. Just over 30 cases of primary LELCs arising in the skin have been reported with only 1 documented fatality. We report a case with extensive vascular involvement and bilateral lymph node metastases.
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