Clinic-pathologic characteristics of lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma in cervix / 临床与实验病理学杂志

ABSTRACT

Purpose To study the clinic-pathologic features, differential diagnosis and prognosis of lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of cervix. Methods Eight cases of lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of cervix were retrieved from our institution. HE staining, im-munohistochemistry and in situ hybridization were perform on those cases. Results Of the 8 cases of lymphoepithelioma-like carcino-ma,the median age was 44 years old ( ranged from 29-67 years) and all of the clinical stage belonged toⅠB. Grossly, 5 cases presen-ted a cauliflower-like appearance, 1 case grew as a polyp protrusion, and the other 2 cases showed a non-specified thicken change of cervix. Histologically, the tumors were composed of undifferentiated large cells, either loosely or closely-packed, with the nested and trabecular growth pattern. The tumor cells were generally oval or polygonal in shape, while the demarcation between the cells was indis-tinct and form the syncytial appearance. The nuclei were vesicular and had one or more prominent nucleoli. There were abundant infil-trates of lymphocyte and plasma cells among the tumor nests. The tumor cells showed positive expression of CK in 100% of cases, p63 in 37. 5% of cases, p16 in 62. 5% of cases, CK5/6 in 75% of cases, Ki-67 in 10% ~30% of cases. The stromal lymphocytes mainly expressed CD3 and CD8. EBER was negative in the entire tumor cells while was weakly positive in the stromal lymphocytes in one case. The follow-up data, which terminated at June 2013, demonstrate 7 cases were alive and 1 case died of the disease. Conclusions Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma occurred of cervix is rare. They have distinctive morphologic features and overall favorable prog-nosis. The accurate diagnosis is dependant on the combination of the histologic and immunohistochemical examination.