[Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the skin]

Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the skin (LECS) is a rare cutaneous tumour with histological features resembling those of Epstein-Barr virus-induced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. An LECS tumour may mimic lymphoid follicles in its composition. Its distinct histological pattern, however, is based on syncytial nests and cords of large pale-staining epithelial tumour cells surrounded by a dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate. Tumour cells show conspicuous vesicular nuclei with delicate chromatin and few prominent nucleoli. Histological differential diagnosis must include malignant lymphomas, Merkel cell tumour, squamous cell carcinoma and cutaneous metastasis of lymphoepithelioma. Immunostaining with anticytokeratin antibodies is highly significant in the differential diagnosis. Histological and immunohistological findings in an LECS removed from the upper lip of a 56-year-old women are reported. Serologic investigations did not indicate EBV-associated tumour growth.