Esophageal Lymphoepithelioma-like Carcinoma With a Remarkable Response to DCF Chemotherapy: A Case Report

Esophageal lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) is an extremely rare malignancy with histological features resembling those of undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Owing to its rarity, no standard treatment protocol has been established.

We report the case of a 76-year-old woman diagnosed with esophageal LELC. Routine upper gastrointestinal screening detected a submucosal tumor-like lesion. Histopathological examination revealed atypical cells with lymphocytic infiltration, leading to diagnosis of LELC. She underwent preoperative chemotherapy with DCF (docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil), which resulted in significant tumor regression and decreased lymph node metastasis. A thoracoscopic subtotal esophagectomy with three-field lymph node dissection was performed. Histopathological analysis showed that while residual tumor cells were present in some lymph nodes, the primary site consisted entirely of scar tissue, with no viable cancer cells. The patient recovered without postoperative complications and has remained recurrence-free for 20 months.

This case report demonstrates a remarkable response to DCF therapy for esophageal LELC, suggesting its potential as an effective preoperative treatment. Given the rarity of esophageal LELC, further case reports are essential to establish an optimal treatment strategy.